Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  It's difficult. One route, one of the organizations I work with, is the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which was set up about seven years ago by President Jimmy Carter. Most of the people who belong to this are a good deal more exalted than I am. There are se

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The corruption of the police and the levels of corruption in Venezuela reveal a lack of discipline at the top. Other countries in the region, other countries with far fewer resources than Venezuela, have managed to have less corrupt police forces. An interesting example is Nica

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I don't see how you can.... In an increasingly centralized government, where the power resides in the presidential palace, I think that's difficult to argue.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The balanced approach in talking to people is always important. Concentrating on conflict resolution is a worthy goal if it's a viable one, if it's workable. To be a player in conflict resolution, you have to have leverage with some of the parties. We've done this in the past, bu

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I can't add anything to what the witness you had some months ago said who spoke directly to this issue. So unless Lesley has something, I don't think I can be helpful on this one.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  We should keep our powder dry, try to avoid responding to some of the conflicted things President Chavez says. As I indicated at the end of my testimony, we have practically no influence with him. The access to him by our own people is pretty much non-existent. But the embassy

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you very much for your question. It is very relevant. Putting everything in context is something we should do. I think at the outset I did say something about achievements. These are real achievements: reduction in poverty, access to health care. The Venezuelans have used

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Very briefly, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has had its wings clipped. It is not able to function as it should because the Venezuelan government will not permit it to undertake investigations on Venezuelan soil. But obviously it continues to operate. It has a real

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you very much for inviting us both, Mr. Chair, and into this gorgeous and historic chamber. You have already received a wide spectrum of views on Venezuela: its virtues, its vices, and especially its human rights record. There will be some overlap with others, but I propo