Man oh man, are we ever seeing how writers twist things around for the a dramatic read. Or is that Chavez mixing things up for a dramatic read?

The press has taken what Chavez said on Sunday in his broadcast, about the illegal mining, and the 'Mafias' controling it, and, by paraphrasing and innuendo, turned it into a completely diffent meaning. Of course the way Chavez rambles, it's probably hard to discern his meaning!

Here's what Chavez is quoted as saying. ( It just so happens that the only quasi accurate reporting was done by Roy!)

Chavez threatens to nationalize gold mines to prevent environmental damage

VHeadline Venezuela News reports: President Hugo Chavez Frias announced this afternon (Sunday) that he may nationalize the exploitation of gold and diamonds in reserves to the south of Bolivar State to avoid environmental disasters in the zone where illegal mining operations predominate.

"If we are going to exploit our gold reserves we will have to nationalize the lost, recover and put an end to the degenerative (the system of) concessions ... they have only served to deplete the rainforests, the mines, water supplies and the environment," Chavez said during his regular Sunday broadcast of 'Alo Presidente' (Hallo President). "Illegal miners extract Venezuela's gold and diamonds without paying a penny in taxes, and besides that they contaminate the water and the soil with mercury and hold the local populations in a kind of slavery ... this is savage capitalism at its worst! ...and it must be brought to an end!"

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Venezuelan authorities had already moved on Saturday to declare an environmental disaster in an area almost six kilometers from the source of the Rio Caura in south-eastern Bolivar State. According to Defense Minister, Carlos Mata Figueroa, a group of suspects has already been detained by jungle army units.

· Some 60% of Venezuela's gold production is in the hands of informal (unauthorized) labor according to figures released by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV).

· Venezuela is ranked No.15 in the world, officially with more than 350 tonnes (12,829,140 ounces) of the mineral and an annual production of 4.2 tonnes (148,150 ounces of bullion).

and this

.

The socialist leader called the holders of gold mining concessions "crazy people" driven by capitalist greed who don't care about laying waste to Venezuela's pristine jungles while exploiting employees.

"We cannot allow national and transnational mafias to continue destroying our homeland," he said during his weekly television and radio program, "Hello President."

Those are the words he used, with no mention of 'companies'....the word companies was put in there by the reporters. I think.....Are there any concessions being operated in Bolivar State?

I think Chavez is obviously talking about the Mafia type criminals that are from Venezuela and neighboring countries ( hence the word international), who are leading and controling the illegal mining. He does throw the word 'concessions' in there....maybe to make it sound like they were quasi legal and that's why he didn't do anything earlier?...who knows. There certainly are no National and International Companies in Venezuela that I have heard of that have concessions, are actively working them, and are being allowed to contaminate soil and water courses. Anyone out there know of any?

now here is how Bloomberg reported it

April 25 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatened to nationalize gold mining concessions in the South American country.

Venezuela may end concessions because of “capitalist mafias” comprising national and multinational companies that destroy the environment and exploit workers, Chavez said on state television today.

By now, I'm sure we're all confused.......I have to admit I started out blaming the reporters for paraphrasing and mixing up Chavez's wording. However, now I myself have become rather befuddled. Was Chavez talking about two different subjects.....legit mining companies, as well as the illegals? I have not heard in the last few years any news relating to Companies operating concessions, who were actively polluting and laying waste to the enviroment.

So is this reporters getting it wrong, or Chavez throwing in the concession bit and mentioning enviromental degradation in order to confuse the public?

Pen