Venezuelan ex-general accused of revealing secrets
By IAN JAMES
Associated Press Writer
CARACAS, Venezuela -- A former Venezuelan army general who has denounced
growing involvement by Cuban troops in President Hugo Chavez's military
appeared before prosecutors Wednesday to respond to charges of insulting
the armed forces and revealing military secrets.
Retired Brig. Gen. Antonio Rivero was once the government's emergency
management director, but he grew concerned about what he saw as growing
Cuban influence in the military and retired early in protest over that
and other issues.
He now faces accusations that carry a possible penalty of up to 10 years
in prison.
Rivero said after the arraignment hearing before military prosecutors
that he was barred from discussing details of the case while the
investigation proceeds. He has not yet been formally charged.
In a telephone interview Tuesday night before the hearing, he said: "I'm
totally innocent. ... I'm going to face it because I'm convinced that I
haven't committed any crime, and I'm doing it simply for the good of my
country."
Rivero has become a political opponent of Chavez since leaving the
military and is running for a National Assembly seat in September
elections. Some government opponents call the case against him one more
attempt to silence a government critic through the courts.
Rivero has denounced what he calls a "passive invasion" by Cuban
soldiers, saying their influence goes far beyond what should be
permitted. He has said Cuban officers participated in high-level
military meetings, trained snipers, gained detailed knowledge of
communications and advised the military on underground bunkers built to
store and conceal weapons.
Rivero has expressed concern the Cuban advisers now know where the
Venezuelan military stores weapons and where its command offices are. He
also has said the Cubans have been helping with a digital radio
communications system for security forces, meaning they have sensitive
information on antenna locations and radio frequencies - knowledge that
could be used to help secure the status quo in Venezuela in the future.
Among other issues that bother the 49-year-old career soldier is what he
calls the "politicization" of the military, including the slogan that
soldiers now repeat when saluting: "Socialist homeland or death!" Rivero
also condemns Chavez's enlistment of supporters in a growing civilian
militia and says it's improper for the president, a civilian, to wear a
military uniform as he often does.
Rivero's lawyer, Guillermo Heredia, said his client hasn't insulted the
military or revealed anything that isn't already public knowledge.
"Soldiers who retire have the right to give their opinions about things
in the country, and to denounce things they consider abnormal," Heredia
told reporters after the closed hearing.
Military prosecutors did not immediately comment on the case.
Chavez, who views Fidel Castro as a "father" and mentor, has
acknowledged that Cuban troops are teaching his soldiers how to repair
radios in tanks and to store ammunition, among other tasks. He has
declined to elaborate on the military assistance, saying everything his
close ally does helps strengthen Venezuela.
Cuban officials have dismissed claims of undue influence in Venezuela,
saying the vast majority of Cubans working in the country are assigned
to medical, education, sports and cultural programs. Other Cubans have
been working on software for Venezuela's passport and
identification-card systems.
Venezuela, in turn, is Cuba's largest trading partner and provides more
than 100,000 barrels of oil a day in exchange for social services such
as the Cuban doctors who see patients in free neighborhood clinics.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/11/1772095/venezuelan-ex-general-accused.html
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