The workers' movement of Great Britain is an example for the world
- 17 May 2006
During the opening speech given to representatives of the British trade unions, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias reiterated that the main reason for his visit to London was to give thanks for the gestures of solidarity that have been organised by the different social organisations in Britain, the TUC prominent amongst them.
Chavez recalled the historically important role of the European working class in the fundamental transformations of the economic and social systems that developed from transcendental movements such as the Industrial and French revolutions. He said “that Miranda and Bolivar were highly inspired here in London”.
He pointed out in his historic speech that capitalism was born as the system that came to implement the exploitation of the citizens over their labour in inhumane conditions. However, he emphasised that with it was born an alternative to this system, a thread of thought that influenced the world community.
In the same way in England during the Industrial Revolution ideological currents developed into what became Scientific Socialism today. “At the beginning of the 21st century we need to re-examine the only thesis that can allow us to change the course of the world to save it: socialism”.
He reiterated the proposal of creating a network of workers between the labour movements of Venezuela and United Kingdom, with the target of opening up cooperation in the same way that has been done amongst the peoples of South America, the Caribbean and even amongst the poor layers in the United States. He said that the strengthening of the relations should also include other areas such as education, culture and health.
He explained that in the case of the UK this cooperation should also take place in the energy industry. He asked for help from the British trade unions to design models of exchange that could be agreed upon.
President Chavez said that in Venezuela the people are guaranteed the right to health thanks to the efforts of the Bolivarian government but also above all thanks to the support of the Cuban Revolution which has sent more than 20,000 doctors to Venezuela’s poorest communities. He also referred to the construction of 600 medical support centres throughout the country, equipped with high-tech equipment.
“I have a total and full respect for the autonomy of the workers’ movement,” he said. At the same time he highlighted the 400% increase in trade union membership in Venezuela as proof of the openness of the government towards the involvement of workers.
When he was consulted about the declarations of representatives of other countries accusing him of involvement in their internal affairs, he expressed his sympathy for Ollanta Humala, the presidential candidate in Peru. He also said that Alan Garcia belongs to the desperate right wing.
He said that “the desperation of the right wing explains the accusations against us that we are using ‘petrodollars’ to buy off the will of other countries. We respect the self-determination of the people as something holy, but we have the right to express our opinions.”
He added that the US government, with its imperial dollars, is trying to buy the people and use war and violence when it does not get what it wants.
Finally, he answered a question referring to allegations of attacks against the press, “there has never been so much press freedom in Venezuela”.
May 15, 2006
From www.rnv.gov.ve
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