Chavez Absence In Summit

The much awaited arrival of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ended in disappointment for many when he failed to turn up yesterday, at the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGO’s (FITUN’s) hosting of the Fourth Summit of the People.

However, people from across the Americas and the Caribbean were present in numbers to show solidarity for the forum aimed at discussing issues affecting the hemisphere.

President Chavez, identified by his countrymen as a “president of the people,” was invited to the three-day People’s Summit, to bring solidarity to the movement.

Among the attendees, were Brazilian national Luis Bassegio and Puerto Ricans Linda Alonso Lebran and Fernando Quiles, who were reportedly detained for several hours on their arrival at the Piarco International Airport, last Wednesday.

In his address yesterday, at the University of the West Indies’ Spec Centre, Bassegio said they were greeted by Police moments after landing on the tarmac at the airport.

But while he and his entourage were dubbed by Police as “professional protestors”, Bassegio said they had gone only to discuss the crises facing the people of the region.

Interviewed afterwards, Lebran said “it was an awful experience.”

“We are just peaceful political activists,” she added.

And as she spoke, a group of Police officers who had been posted at the Centre stood watch behind.

The officers together with Army soldiers had reportedly set up camp at the Centre in anticipation of the event.

Lebran recalled that her colleague identified as “Tito” was also detained by Police, but was sent back to his homeland on the following morning.

The forum was chaired by FITUN head, David Abulah, in which labour activists from around the Caribbean spoke and identified the problems plaguing the region. Following discussions yesterday, a draft declaration is expected to be submitted to the heads attending the Fifth Summit of the Americas.

http://www.newsday.co.tt