AFL-CIO & Venezuela

[Tim Shorrock]

AFL-CIO is working on a statement responding to today's article in the NYT
re NED money to support anti-Chavez activities. I hear they're feeling
pretty burned by the article because the reporter never called either ACILS
or the federation. The NED money was apparently being used to strength
democratic procedures in the Colombian labor federation and strengthen rank
and file activism - not, they claim, to promote opposition to Chavez. But
how are NED programs in a place like Venezuela coordinated? How much control
does ACILS have over their people on the ground? What role does the neo-con
Carl Gershman play in formulating labor programs?

NYT said: "Of particular concern is $154,377 given by the endowment to the
American Center for International Labor Solidarity, the international arm of
the A.F.L.-C.I.O., to assist the main Venezuelan labor union in advancing
labor rights." But he doesn't provide any details. Of "particular interest"
to whom I wonder?

TS