23
May, 2007
TAKE ACTION NOW! TELL SENATE AND HOUSE FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE NOT TO SIGN ONTO ANTI-VENEZUELA RESOLUTION!
BACKGROUND:
We need you to take ACTION RIGHT AWAY!
What is H. Con. Res. 77 and S. Res. 211?
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL) introduced H. CON. RES. 77 and Senators
Lugar (R-IN) and Dodd (D-CT) introduced S. Res. 211, both
of which condemn a decision made by the Venezuelan National
Telecommunications Commission not to renew the broadcasting
license of Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), a privately owned
television station, that is up at the end of this month.
These resolutions incorrectly describe the decision as being
"political" and a threat to freedom of expression
in Venezuela, when in fact this is a regulatory matter based
on existing telecommunications law and the provisions of the
1999 Constitution. Furthermore, the constitutional right to
make decisions on the licensing of broadcasters is enjoyed
by most governments worldwide, including that of the U.S.
TAKE ACTION!
What you can do RIGHT NOW:
If you live in any of the states that are part of the Senate
and House Foreign Relations Committee, PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE:
CONTACT
FOR HOUSE
CONTACT
FOR SENATE
If you don't live in a state part of these committees, please
call the Chairs of Both committees:
HOUSE: Chairman Lantos 202-225-3531
SENATE: Chairman Biden 202-224-5042
Ask them NOT to sign onto S. Res. 211 and H. Con. Res. 77.
Even better, request a face-to-face meeting with them while
they are home between
May 28 - June 1.
When you call:
1) Ask to speak to the Legislative Aide who works on Venezuela
issues.
2) If you speak to the aide directly, ask him/her to recommend
them to speak out against H. Con. Res. 77 / S. Res. 211. If
you are put into voicemail, please leave a message.
BASIC TALKING POINTS: Talking points to
consider for your discussion:
• The resolutions incorrectly describe the non-renewal
decision as being "political" and a threat to freedom
of expression in Venezuela, when in fact this is a regulatory
matter based on existing telecommunications law and the provisions
of the 1999 Constitution.
• RCTV is Venezuela's most often cited station for
legal infractions, including the airing of pornography and
cigarette advertisements. Previous offenses committed under
other presidential administrations led to repeated closures
and fines for RCTV, but the most recent violation is in regard
to the role of the station in supporting a coup attempt against
President Chavez in 2002 and an oil industry strike in 2002
- 2003.
• The non-renewal of the RCTV broadcasting license
does not alter the Venezuelan government's commitment to freedom
of expression. Cable and satellite broadcasts will continue
to be available for the station's use.
• The constitutional right to make decisions on the
licensing of broadcasters is enjoyed by most governments worldwide,
including that of the U.S. Moreover, the Venezuelan Supreme
Court ruled in early May to uphold the non-renewal decision.
• Although the Senate resolution calls on the Organization
of American States (OAS) to condemn Venezuela, José
Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the OAS, has stated it
is up to the Venezuelan courts to solve the dispute over RCTV.
Also, the Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Freedom
Commission, Giusto Catania, ruled out that the EU Parliament
would pass a resolution against Venezuela for the non-renewal
of the RCTV license.
MORE INFORMATION: Please forward this message
on to five friends and ask them to make a similar call.
Post this message on all your listservst!
For more information on how to proceed with this IMPORTANT
action, call the Venezuela Information Office (VIO) at 202-347-8081,
ext. 603. Please let us know if you decide to call.
Check out the VIO's fact sheet on "Press Freedoms in
Venezuela: The Case of RCTV": http://www.rethinkvenezuela.com/downloads/RCTV.htm
This ERN Action Alert was prepared by the Venezuela Solidarity
Network. The basic purpose of the Venezuela Solidarity Network
is to increase communication among groups that oppose US intervention
in Venezuela, support the right of the Venezuela people to self-determination,
and support the Bolivarian revolution. The Venezuela Solidarity
Network also seeks to enlist additional progressive groups into
Venezuela solidarity work, and to facilitate our ability to
unite in joint actions.
We can be reached by phone at 202-544-9355 (National
Office) or 520-243-0381 (James Jordan, Emergency Response
Network Coordinator). Our website is:www.vensolidarity.org.
You can also email james@afgj.org for more information.
To become a member of the Emergency Response Network, click
here.
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