NationStates Jolt Archive

I found this article today
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7462712.stm

Venezuelans' assets frozen by US

The two men are accused of raising funds for Hezbollah

The US Treasury Department has frozen the US assets of two Venezuelan nationals for alleged links with the radical Islamist group, Hezbollah.

The men include one of the country's official representatives in Lebanon.

Ghazi Nasr Din, director of political interests of the Venezuelan embassy in Lebanon, is accused of raising funds for the Islamist group.

The other man, Fawzi Kan'an, rejected the accusations as baseless in a BBC interview.

Mr Kan'an operates two travel agencies in Caracas that have also been blacklisted by the US.

The latest move also prohibits Americans from doing business with the two men.

The move is likely to add to the existing rift between the Bush Administration and the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, correspondents say.



Now this is something that generally worries me, considering I am going to be in Venezuela in a month, and in Lebanon in a year. Normally I wouldn't believe any hype about Chavez working with terrorists, but with a top Venezuelan official in Lebanon, helping fund Hezbollah, it makes me wonder what sort of connection there really is there.

I've found some (http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/pdf-files/NarcsFundedTerrs_Extrems.pdf) other (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maicao#Hezbollah_ties) articles (http://jungle-hut.blogspot.com/2008/06/hezbollah-and-al-qaeda-in-venezuela.html) on (http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369844) this (http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/newman200503110751.asp)subject (http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2008/01/13/44163.html), but don't really know if they are trust worthy. Does anyone know where I can find a good source on this subject?

I think BBC might be getting biased what with that picture of the men queuing up for a fancy dress party :p

also I see no evidence and looking at the US record on such things I will be dealing with these two men just because Americans can't

Didn't worry lots of Brits to go to the US in the 1970s-1990s when top businessmen there were funding the IRA, so I have no idea why you're worried about going to Venezuela. Going to Lebanon, however - dunno how good an idea that is.

Didn't worry lots of Brits to go to the US in the 1970s-1990s when top businessmen there were funding the IRA, so I have no idea why you're worried about going to Venezuela. Going to Lebanon, however - dunno how good an idea that is.

Yeah. Why go to Lebbanon?

Didn't worry lots of Brits to go to the US in the 1970s-1990s when top businessmen there were funding the IRA, so I have no idea why you're worried about going to Venezuela. Going to Lebanon, however - dunno how good an idea that is.

Lebanon is a silly place. Innumerable factions, Hezbollah, etc.

It's crazy enough without having to worry about a few Venezuelans.

Didn't worry lots of Brits to go to the US in the 1970s-1990s when top businessmen there were funding the IRA, so I have no idea why you're worried about going to Venezuela. Going to Lebanon, however - dunno how good an idea that is.

Well the UK wasn't hostile towards the US at that time, nor vice versa.

Yeah. Why go to Lebbanon?
Missionary.

Yeah. Why go to Lebbanon?
Lovely climate, very liberal for an Arab state (you can drink there, it's got gay bars etc.) and the people are excellent. Yer main problem at the moment is that Beirut is still a bit of a mess and Hezbollah are pretty powerful all over the country, not that this should actually affect you unless you walk around the streets shouting "Nasralla has ginger pubes" or something.

Well the UK wasn't hostile towards the US at that time, nor vice versa.
The government wasn't.
Missionary.
Poor time to go to Lebanon as a missionary, my man. Speak much Arabic?

Well the UK wasn't hostile towards the US at that time, nor vice versa.


Missionary.

In Venezuela, foreign missionaries are considered de facto spies for the West. You're guilty by default.

Make sure you don't do anything remotely questionable.

Probably won't be kidnapped in Lebanon. Afghanistan, yes.

Lovely climate, very liberal for an Arab state (you can drink there, it's got gay bars etc.) and the people are excellent. Yer main problem at the moment is that Beirut is still a bit of a mess and Hezbollah are pretty powerful all over the country, not that this should actually affect you unless you walk around the streets shouting "Nasralla has ginger pubes" or something.

-takes notes-


I am actually probably going to be working in the south, which is Hezzy territory. Go back and forth between there and Syria ;)

I am actually probably going to be working in the south, which is Hezzy territory. Go back and forth between there and Syria ;)
Oh dear, oh dear. Don't expect to be well loved.

-takes notes-


I am actually probably going to be working in the south, which is Hezzy territory. Go back and forth between there and Syria ;)

Nice knowing you.

Yootopia, don't forget that (at least to me), Lebanon is a breathtakingly beautiful place.
Aye, absolutely. Excellent climate, beautiful countryside and the people are mostly extremely friendly. Hence why everyone in the region wants to own it :p

Yootopia, don't forget that (at least to me), Lebanon is a breathtakingly beautiful place.

I am actually probably going to be working in the south, which is Hezzy territory. Go back and forth between there and Syria ;)

its okay because logic tells me they will be into the missionary position (who would of thought this joke would be made?)

btw how fast can you run from a Lebanese father?

Could well just be some Venezualan nationals who thought themselves as primarily a bunch of crazy Muslim fundamentalists rather than anything else.

Great. :rolleyes: It's my nightmare: Latinocommieislamofascistterrorists.

-takes notes-


I am actually probably going to be working in the south, which is Hezzy territory. Go back and forth between there and Syria ;)

Uhh. Worked there as a UN peacekeeper with UNIFIL some 18 years ago. We were tolerated... but occasionally shooted at. I hope things have changed since then - for your sake.

Uhh. Worked there as a UN peacekeeper with UNIFIL some 18 years ago. We were tolerated... but occasionally shooted at. I hope things have changed since then - for your sake.

Like this?

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g33/Mattlevi/Motovational%20Posters/unpeacekeepersth2.jpg

Like this?

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g33/Mattlevi/Motovational%20Posters/unpeacekeepersth2.jpg

Way funny, but no.

SNIP

shh its funny because UN peacekeepers include a large amount of US troops ;)

Like this?

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g33/Mattlevi/Motovational%20Posters/unpeacekeepersth2.jpg
Exactly like they've been doing in Bosnia and the many other places where they're doing a good job.

:rolleyes:

Exactly like they've been doing in Bosnia and the many other places where they're doing a good job.

Are you implying we did a shitty job in Lebanon..?

Prove theirs any more connection than their was between Iraq and Bin Laden. I'm no saying their isn't but any thing out of washington should be treated with a mountain of salt.

If your worried about going their, well you have reason. Given the tensions with America, I'd be worried about going their as an American citizen. If your American, and you have to or want to go, I suggest you swallow whatever pride you have and where a Canadian flag. That helps I'm told, at least in Europe( is Venezualla on bad terms with Canada as well? You should check it if you do plan on wearing a Canadian flag). Still, I'm not really familiar with the risks of traveling in Venesualla. No doubt there are authorities you can contact for more information(probably a good thing to do before traveling anywhere, in our world).

Wait, your working as a missionary in Hezzbolla territory? You've got balls, I'll give you that. Still, though perhaps your beliefs are none of my business, maybe you should ask yourself weather you can better serve your church alive or dead.

Venezuela isn't the only one with Hezbolah operatives. There's cells in most Central and South American countries, Mexico, and Canada. And statistically with how may OTMs that have crossed our border without getting caught, its a reasonable possibility of having a cell in every medium-sized city in the US, and multiple cells in the large cities. The reason why attention is turned toward Venezuela is that the government there has the means and motive to help them achieve their goals.

Personally, I don't think its a question of "if" they come here. They most likely already are. It's a question of what we are going to do when they make their moves. And I personally don't plan on rolling over or running away when it happens... :sniper:

Venezuela isn't the only one with Hezbolah operatives. There's cells in most Central and South American countries, Mexico, and Canada. And statistically with how may OTMs that have crossed our border without getting caught, its a reasonable possibility of having a cell in every medium-sized city in the US, and multiple cells in the large cities. The reason why attention is turned toward Venezuela is that the government there has the means and motive to help them achieve their goals.

Personally, I don't think its a question of "if" they come here. They most likely already are. It's a question of what we are going to do when they make their moves. And I personally don't plan on rolling over or running away when it happens... :sniper:

I was talking to a few people and they say that a lot of Lebanese have gone to Venezuela. So undoubtedly, I can assume that some hezzies have moved here and there.

Katonazag, I hope your refering to possible terrorism and not an actual takeover(as your post seems to suggest) when you talk about Hezbolla "making their move." Terrorists cause great suffering, but if they ever manage to take over America from within, it will be because America has already fallen. The reason they're terrorists is because they don't have the means to take us in a strait fight.

[QUOTE=Zilam;13785035]I found this article today
[
Normally I wouldn't believe any hype about Chavez working with terrorists,

OH Please.

The Chavez government should learn how to vet their appointed officials...

What's more interesting, at least as far as Venezuela is concerned, is the article that links off of the BBC's original article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7410058.stm

That's a whole heck of a lot of awful news.

Wholesale vote buying, extremely high inflation, collapsing foreign investment...yikes.

It's quite simple:Colombia's lies about links with the FARC collapsed, all countries of Latin America didn't give any credit to those claims... and Chávez is as popular as ever, with more and more countries on his side.

So, they have to find a new excuse to attack him... he doesn't help the FARC ? Fine, let's pretend he helps the Hezbollah. You know, it's like WMD in Irak or ties between Saddam Hussein and Al Qeada... just lies spread to justify action against a leader they don't like.

The main difference being that Saddam was a cruel dictator, while Chávez is a democratically elected president, with a very strong support from his people.

I beat they have weapons of mass destruction too. Too arms my fellow Americans we must liberate the people of Venezuela.

I beat they have weapons of mass destruction too. Too arms my fellow Americans we must liberate the people of Venezuela.

Strawmannery, much?

Is anyone, anyone at all calling for such a situation?

Great. :rolleyes: It's my nightmare: Latinocommieislamofascistterrorists.

Every cloud and all that....

Trust me, I'm sure they have religious nutcases in EVERY country... unless you count Forvik (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080621/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_island_independence_1).

Yeah, there are a lot of libanese people here in Venezuela. It's a large ethnic group, specially in certain areas of the Oriental provinces. I know more than a few, and one of my best ladyfriends is of lebanese origin.

However, most of the community that migrated here actually came from the north of the country, and are christians. Maronites, I think it's the proper term. There are islamic lebanese, but here in Venezuela they are a minority.

Are they funding Hezbollah? I guess some could, as some members of the basque community here fund ETA, (Yeah, I have that information first hand). However, does that represent a risk for you coming here? Not really. I don't think it's an organized effort from the lebanese community, or the venezuelan goverment, neither.

Want an advise? Do not wander around by night, do not wander around all by yourself. Do not climb a barrio unless you are escorted or accompanied by someone of the community, do not enter alleys, do not act distracted, do not take your attention away, do not trust anyone by first glance, and don't get lost.

Do not fear terrorists, terrorists are wussies. Fear the muggers and the gangs. Those are the dangerous bastards.

The main difference being that Saddam was a cruel dictator, while Chávez is a democratically elected president, with a very strong support from his people.
If he was oh so popular, he wouldn't have lost the constitution reform vote, now, would he?

In Venezuela, foreign missionaries are considered de facto spies for the West. You're guilty by default.

Make sure you don't do anything remotely questionable.

:rolleyes: Please don't take Hotwife's paranoia as useful travel advice. The rest of the world does not actually follow his belief that everyone is rabidly anti-USian.

Venezuela isn't the only one with Hezbolah operatives.....And I personally don't plan on rolling over or running away when it happens...

Do you have any basis at all for any of these paranoid ramblings?

Strawmannery, much?

Is anyone, anyone at all calling for such a situation?

I figured Id lead the call.

Wait, your working as a missionary in Hezzbolla territory? You've got balls, I'll give you that.

How long they'll let him keep them is another matter. :p

Zilam: I've got a Lebanese friend who visits the country fairly regularly and I would share the advice he's given me on safety, but I suspect the purpose of your visit will prevent you from following them. I'm told that the Sunni areas tend to be safer than the Shi'a areas and you might want to bear that in mind.