17/03/2010

Scottish Parliament recognises "progressive" achievements in  Venezuela

Scottish MSP, Jamie Hepburn, has tabled a motion calling for the Scottish Parliament to support the "progressive policies pursued by the Chávez administration in the last decade". Hepburn praised the "massive efforts at tackling poverty" and initiatives to include sectors of society who had traditionally been "alienated" from politics.
 
The MSP also expressed his concern that "reactionary elements in the United States and beyond" seek to undermine the Venezuelan government's progress and that of other countries in the region, such as Honduras. He added that the "increased militarisation" of the region following an agreement between the United States and Colombia to open seven new military bases and the activities of the US Navy 4th fleet "threatens peace, democracy and sovereignty".
 
The motion, which received the support of eight MSPs, also called for "greater relations between Scotland and Venezuela" and lent its support to the London event taking place on Saturday 27 March 2010 to mark the eighth anniversary of the attempted coup against the Chávez administration. The motion also received great support from the Scottish Venezuela Solidarity Campaign (SVSC).

Press Unit of the Venezuelan Embassy in London

17 March 2010