Quotes by Larry Birns

“The Bush administration has tried to make Venezuela seem like a spooky, murky place. But they have cried wolf too often. Without serious evidence, you cant take their accusations seriously.”

“Its a decisive moment, ... Its not Chavezs nasty tongue that has earned him Washingtons odium. It is his policies. What he stands for is a declining role for the U.S. in Latin America.”

“Chavez has been generous. And in certain respects, hell expect dividends.”

“The U.S. and the international community has a failed policy in that it has not promoted security and democracy in Haiti. The election, if and when it takes place, will be as controversial as elections in Iraq.”

“There has to be a refiguring and recalibration of the role of the security forces and a clarification of what the U.N. role should be.”

“There is not a huge reserve of goodwill at the moment. It is so far off from a meaningful relationship.”

“One wounded president goes to visit another wounded president.”

“How are you going to retaliate for keeping people warm for winter? Its a pretty brilliant strategy.”

“Morales is certainly not like Chavez. He is more of an opportunist than Chavez, and I think his credentials are somewhat portable. ... Morales is prepared to play the political game of accommodating himself to what he would call outside realities.”

“Will the administration be wise enough to pull back from its hostile attitude? What is needed is a sober accounting of what is needed, instead of turning to the CIA.”