According to Chavez, Nobel prizewinner, Joseph Stiglitz claimed that Venezuela is right in changing the instrument traditionally used to measure the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and incorporate benefits that the population receives through the various free Socialist missions or programs.

In the classical measurement everything is capitalized, Chavez told viewers, and what is not "monetarized" is not included and to illustrate his point, he gave the example of a natural tragedy with many deaths resulting in the manufacture of thousands of coffins that would be included in GDP growth.

The report is interesting, Chavez noted, because it is not a product of hard-line left wingers or radicals, but of economists working inside the capitalist system but with critical positions.

Continuing to use examples, the President compared going to a private clinic and paying (Bs.F) 1,000 bolivares, something which would be included in national growth figures to going to a government integral diagnosis center (CDI) which is free, along with medicines and which is not included in the GDP. Venezuela is in favor of including such elements in the national growth equations.

During the program, President Chavez confirmed that he will attend next Sunday's meeting between African Union and Union of South American Nations (Unasur) representatives in Venezuela, adding that he would like to see Caracas become a bridge to Africa.

Chavez has called on the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) to get ready for National Assembly elections in 2010, warning that the opposition is already preparing and reminding his followers that in January the opposition has a possibility of calling a recall referendum against him.

Chavez declared that he expected the PSUV to secure two thirds of the assembly for the Bolivarian movement.

Carlos Ocariz, opposition mayor of Sucre (Caracas), came under fire for failing to deal with the garbage problem in Petare ... the President has ordered Public Works Minister, Diosdado Cabello and Environment Minister, Yubiri Ortega to tackle the problem.

There was also a linkup with Portuguesa State where 125 tractors were handed to 44 rural communal councils to kick-start the beginning of the planting season.

Agriculture & Lands Minister, Elias Jaua announced that 200 tractors that arrived last week from Belarus will be given to the Pedro Camejo Socialist company, along with the first 20 Pauny tractors assembled in Venezuela.

The company rents out agricultural equipment and provides technical assistance and maintenance to rural communal councils and co-operatives.

Patrick J. O'Donoghue
news.editor@vheadline.com