IMF caught redhanded backing Venezuela attempted 2002 coup!

[EFerrari]

Dear Friends of Venezuela,

Recently, a number of Members of Congress have made enquiries into the active support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the undemocratic and unconstitutional coup d'etat against Venezuela in April 2002. The coup government of Pedro Carmona dissolved the Constitution, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court before the democratically elected government of President Hugo Chavez was returned to power by a popular uprising.

DEMAND THE TRUTH
Toward this effort, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Rep. Raúl Grijalva and Rep. José Serrano are currently asking their colleagues in Congress to join them in their quest to seek answers for the IMF's immediate offer of assistance to the coup government of Pedro Carmona, and what, if anything, the institution knew about the coup in advance.

At an IMF press briefing on April 12, 2002, the IMF External Relations Director, Mr. Dawson, was asked if the IMF had any concerns about the events taking place in Venezuela and about the "status of the IMF-Venezuela relationship?" Mr. Dawson acknowledged that he was aware of the events that had taken place and reading from a prepared statement went on to say that "we stand ready to assist the new administration in whatever manner they find suitable." (From the transcript, available on the IMF's website). A significant number of Members of Congress should demand that the IMF explain these statements.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Call your Congressmember and ask him/her to sign onto the Dear Colleague letter "Why Would the IMF Offer Immediate Assistance to an Undemocratic Coup Government?" sponsored initially by Kucinich and Grijalva. If they have any questions, refer them to the office of Rep. Kucinich.

Then, ask your Representative to contact the IMF and ask the following: 1) Why did the IMF support a coup government and 2) Request a copy of all documents and records pertaining to this IMF policy decision towards Venezuela.

To find out who represents you in Congress, please go to http://www.house.gov/writerep/ For further information, please contact the Venezuela Information Office at 202-347-8081, ext. 603.

Let us know if you and your friends have called your members of Congress!

Venezuela Information Office
www.veninfo.org

[Judi Lynn]

1. More about this just HAS to surface. Good grief. Thanks for the grim info. Hope there's enough

power outside the right-wing to get the necessary answer.