Thanks to Ray Williams for the Minutes:

BRIGHTON HOV

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19 April 2006 at the Branch Tavern.


Present:

Leila (Chair,) Ray, Linda, Martin, Malcolm, Simon, Brenda, Dianne, Iain,
Mira, Geoff, Gabrielle, Dan, Janet, Pierre.

Apologies:

Colin, Anna, Anne, Senem.

1. VENEZUELA CONFERENCE IN LONDON: 8/4/06

Martin highlighted the key points of this event, which he attended along with Malcolm and Simon.  A note was circulated at the meeting and had previously been sent to the group via e mail. Various useful new contacts have been obtained, although few other grassroots activists were found. Martin provided the group with a useful overview of current lines of thought on Venezuela, the OPEC/oil issues, and the possibility of a US intervention.

2. UPDATE ON OTHER RECENT NEWS ABOUT VENEZUELA

Simon spoke about Human Rights Watch, an organisation which does some good work in the field of Human Rights but which has expressed concern about political censorship on the part of the Chavez government. Recent legislation, in place but not yet invoked, appears to be aimed at suppressing anti-government reporting in the largely privately owned media. The group needs to be aware that Human Rights Watch, on this issue at least, appears to be taking a firm and consistent anti-Chavez line.

The following websites were recommended as having an unbiased approach to reporting news in Venezuela.:

Venezuelaanalysis.com – compiled by Greg Wilpert, who is about to publish a book.

aporrea.org – in Spanish only.

Several members were aware of continuing tensions In Venezuela, some openly stirred up by the US, with a view to influencing the presidential elections to be held in December.

3.  LOCAL INITIATIVES

The Duke of York's cinema has been booked for the DVD screening at 6.30 on 14 June.  The cost of hiring the cinema is £411 and sufficient pledges have been made to cover the cost.  We hope to recoup the cost and maybe make money to meet other expenses later.  A speaker will introduce the film and we may have a stall with promotional material.

The Branch Tavern has been booked for 8.00 on the same evening, for a speaker. Tariq Ali and Rod Stoneman were suggested but the group decided to invite Jorge Martin, an international organiser with the Hands off Venezuela campaign.  He will be asked to speak for 20 – 30 minutes about developments since the film was made and about what our local group could do to raise awareness of Venezuelan issues.

A flyer for the screening and talk will be produced - Janet offered to do the artwork for it – and other materials sourced – flag, badges etc.


4. VISIT BY HUGO CHAVEZ TO LONDON

There is a possibility that Chavez will come to London, after attending an EU/Latin America convention in Vienna.  The suggested date is 14 May, though that is not certain.  Neither has a detailed programme been announced.  If the visit is confirmed, individual members of the group will organise support for themselves.

5.  DAY SCHOOL

The proposed day school was discussed further and is still planned in principle.  The following points were discussed:

Widening the brief to make it a Latin American day

Postponing it till the autumn, targeting the student audiences of the two universities

Alternatively, staging it in July, building the day round a speech by a Bolivian activist, Oscar Oliveria who is known to be available then, as a rapid follow-up to the film screening

Providing some relief from the serious discussions of the day by offering a salsa session.

The shape of the day will be the main item of discussion at the next meeting.

6. AFFILIATION

The group felt that affiliation to national and international organisations with similar objectives is a matter for individual members.

NEXT MEETING  7.30 on 3 MAY, at the BRANCH TAVERN.