President Chávez: There will be no rest for us nor our souls 

Ventura de Jesús y Jorge L. Baños (photos) 

CARACAS, .— Two hundred years after Simón Bolívar made a promise to free Venezuela, President Hugo Chávez assured that to all Venezuelan's the desire to be free was the most important issue.

He classified such a historic date as a show of support for the road the country is taking; a revolutionary day, which shows the magnitude of the force of the Bolivarian democracy. 

During his speech to a Special Session of the National Assembly in the National Pantheon, in honor of the bicentennial call of Simón Bolívar at Monte Sacro, Chávez reiterated the Bolivarian Revolution's resolve to free the nation from the clutches of the empire.   

After making historical references to the work and thinking of Bolívar, the Venezuelan president, made a plea to save the planet from the grasp and schemes of imperialism.  Paraphrasing Venezuela's liberator, Bolívar, he stated: We will not rest, nor our souls will rest until we have fully liberated our people from the threats posed by the US empire.  

The ceremony was part of the Festival.

The Special Session of the National Assembly which celebrated the two hundred years of the declaration made by Bolívar, was part of the program of the XVI  World Festival of Youth and Students.  The participants of the event learned in detail the resolve of Bolívar, to free the region from Spanish dominion.

Referring to the elections held exactly one year ago, the president of Venezuela said it was time that the people had legitimate legislative power, one which was genuine; and not as fraudulent as son will have us believe. Adding that the opposition had not been able to prove one case of fraud.

He saluted the people for the support given to the Bolivarian revolution.

The head of state declared that Socialism had risen again as a viable thesis adding that the anti-imperialist forces around the world have seen a rebirth; have been given  new impetus by the celebration of the Festival.

Chávez went on to say: "Let us without fear put forward a foundation which will assure liberty in South America and the Caribbean.  Let's do it now.  It is time to put fear behind us and save our great nation."   

He then later reminded the crowd of an oath made by Bolívar:  I swear by the God of my fathers; I swear by them; I swear on my honor, and swear by my country that I will not rest, nor my soul will  rest, until the chains imposed by Spain have been broken! 

The president of Venezuela went on say:  "We have come here to make good that oath.  Long live the people of Venezuela and those people around the world that struggle for life, struggle against war, against imperialism, those who fight for freedom and social equality".  

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