VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez appears confident that Venezuela will get number of votes needed to gain seat on coveted UN Security CouncilI

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appeared confident Sunday (October 15) that Venezuela will get the number of votes needed to gain a seat on the coveted United Nations Security Council during Monday's (October 16, 2006) vote. Chavez also commented on the presidential elections taking place in Ecuador on Sunday. An ally of Chavez is vowing to challenge the political old guard and a wealthy mogul as voters cast ballots for their eighth leader in a decade. Rafael Correa, a former finance minister who has rattled investors with talk of debt default, has led the race in recent weeks, but banana tycoon Alvaro Noboa has challenged him and appeared likely to force a runoff vote in late November. Little known until earlier this year, Correa, 43, has soared in the polls as Ecuadoreans fed up with the traditional political class were captured by his anti-establishment message after years of instability in their poor Andean country. His association with Chavez, vow to disband the discredited congress and plans to restructure Ecuador's sovereign bonds have sent ripples through Wall Street and Washington, which is locked in an ideological stand-off with the Venezuelan leader. "Today Ecuador returns, watch, in spite of all the betrayal and an impoverished people, a dollar economy, a country that was a regional member at one time, that now has huge external debt, there is Ecuador again. Long live the people of Ecuador, long live the people of Ecuador, once again," Chavez said. On the subject of the Security Council seat, Chavez challenged the U.S. which he said was doing everything in its power to prevent Venezuela from getting it seat. "Delegations from the United States are roaming the halls (of the UN) and if Arias Cardenas (the Venezuelan Ambassador to the UN) speaks with an ambassador from 'x' country, Arias Cardenas just goes into the hall and in the hall five members of the United States, body to body, converge on him," he said. "Well, my friend, the bayonets are out and to the charge! Venezuela will go to the United Nations Security Council, put your bayonets on," he said. Chavez is intent on winning the seat, which is evident by both his actions and words. Venezuela has spent much time over recent months currying favour with governments worldwide, many of which are opposed to the U.S., such as Iran and Belarus to win votes. Chavez often took advantage of Venezuela's oil wealth to invest in these countries and sign trade deals. China and Russia, both Venezuelan trade allies, have pledged their support for Venezuela in the coming vote. A potential Venezuelan victory is a cause of concern for the Bush administration which worries that Venezuela will not be a constructive force within the Security Council. It is concerned that Chavez will abuse the position and use it as a platform to make his pitch as modern day revolutionary and a world leader that speaks for the poorer and marginalized nations. Chavez says Washington's policies and "imperialist" stance are responsible for global poverty and that Bush, who Chavez calls "Mister Danger" is responsible for creating global instability. Chavez called Bush the devil during a speech last month to the General Assembly and frequently alleges that the U.S. has plans to invade Venezuela and assassinate him. The U.N. Security Council has primary responsibility for international peace and security and takes decisions on matters such as economic sanctions and military action. The Council's five permanent members: the United States, China, Great Britain, Russia and France have veto power, hence a greater deal of clout within the body. However, 9 of the total 15 member votes are needed to pass resolution. Presidency of the Security Council is rotated among members on a monthly basis, which gives the nation at the helm a chance to shape the agenda. Non-permanent members also chair committees of the Council.

ITN Source | October 16, 2006

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