承前*1
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/gordias/20070822/1187758199にて知る。
Associated Pressの記事；
一方で、倫敦の低所得者の人々はベネズエラと倫敦市の協定のおかげで、バス代が半額になるという恩恵を受けることになる。『ガーディアン』の記事；
Venezuela Congress OKs Chavez's reformsBy CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER, Associated Press Writer
Wed Aug 22, 3:59 AM ETVenezuela's National Assembly, dominated by allies of President Hugo Chavez, gave unanimous initial approval Tuesday to constitutional reforms that would allow him to run for re-election and possibly govern for decades to come.
Assembly President Cilia Flores said Chavez's proposed changes to the constitution, including the lifting of presidential term limits, were approved by all 167 lawmakers after about six hours of debate.
Final approval is expected within two or three months, and voters will then decide whether to approve the changes in a referendum.
The assembly has been solidly pro-Chavez since the opposition boycotted a 2005 vote and had been expected to sign off on the changes proposed by Chavez in Tuesday's first reading. The reforms, if approved, would extend presidential terms from six to seven years and allow Chavez to run again in 2013.
Government opponents have attacked the reforms, saying they will weaken democracy by permitting Chavez to become a lifelong leader like his ally Fidel Castro of Cuba.
Chavez, a former paratroop commander who was re-elected by a wide margin in December on promises to steer the country toward socialism, says the changes will give Venezuelans greater decision-making power and aid the transfer of billions of dollars from Venezuela's foreign reserves into social programs.
Ismael Garcia, one of the assembly's few dissenting voices, criticized pro-Chavez lawmakers for excluding opposition groups from the discussion, arguing that Venezuelans of all political leanings must be included in the debate before the proposed reforms are put to a national vote.
Garcia, who voted for the initial approval despite his criticism, said issues "such as the economic path of a new society" must be discussed.
"This isn't just any debate," he said.
Other reforms would create new types of property to be managed by cooperatives, give neighborhood-based "communal councils" administrative responsibilities usually reserved for elected officials and create "a popular militia" that would form part of the military. The workday would also be reduced to six hours.
Flores said government-friendly lawmakers have the right to approve the reforms without changing the proposal that Chavez presented last week.
"We are not imposing anything," she told state television.
Earlier Tuesday, former Chavez mentor Luis Miquilena urged Venezuelans to reject the proposed constitutional changes.
Miquilena, who headed a popularly elected, pro-Chavez assembly that drafted Venezuela's existing constitution, called his former ally's new reform proposal "a constitutional fraud" aimed at giving him "perpetual power."
Miquilena, an 88-year-old former labor leader, once was commonly referred to as Chavez's closest adviser. But he quit his Cabinet in 2002 and has periodically criticized the president since then.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070822/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/venezuela_constitution&printer=1;_ylt=AsTpPuSeju_zHJOjNZmhmSi9IxIF
Chávez deal to aid low-income LondonersLee Glendinning
Tuesday August 21, 2007
Guardian
Up to a million people on income support will be eligible for half fares on London's buses under Ken Livingstone's oil deal with Hugo Chávez, Venezuela's president.Single parents, carers, the long-term sick and disabled people will benefit from the plan, first mooted during Mr Chávez's visit to the UK last year, paying 50p for a single journey if they use an Oystercard.
In exchange for a 20% oil discount to fuel London buses, an office will be set up in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, where London officials will offer expertise in town planning, tourism, public transport and environmental protection.
Under the scheme applicants must take proof of their income support status to a post office to get a special photocard for a discounted Oystercard.
Mr Livingstone, London's mayor, said London and Venezuela had exchanged "those things in which they are rich to the mutual benefit of both".
"This will make it cheaper and easier for people to go about their lives and get the most out of London," he said. "The agreement which makes this possible will also benefit the people of Venezuela, by providing expertise in areas of city management in which London is a world leader."
Angie Bray, the Conservative leader in the London assembly, said Mr Livingstone should rather have appealed to the Treasury if he needed financial support. "The spectacle of our mayor ... going cap in hand to a dictator ... is morally indefensible," she added.
From September 30, a 10% a fare cut will also be introduced, meaning a single bus journey will be reduced to 45p for those on income support.
http://society.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,330605699-110464,00.html
