CampTransparencia?
Submitted by fyl on Wed, 2010/03/24 - 06:09.
An Inside Costa Rica article titled US Seeks to Destabilize Nicaragua suggests, well, what the title says. It's one of those short it was said elsewhere articles. But, as I scanned it, it offered up the player that is supposed to be doing the dirtywork in Nicaragua, DynCorp. That sounded like it was at least worth a Google search.
It certainly was. On their own home page you find Protecting What Really Matters Supporting U.S. interests worldwide. The kind of slogan that makes you wonder what interests they are supporting in Nicaragua. To help illustrate the kind of interests they have been supporting elsewhere, Baghdad Bonanza offers some clues. DynCorp comes up as number 2 on the top 100 contractors list.
There is, of course, a lot more information but they are basically a private military contractor. The question is what are they doing in Nicaragua. The Inside Costa Rica article says they run CampTransparencia in Nicaragua and goes on to say
CampTransparencia has organized forums and other similar activities in Nicaragua. Its main cadres have experience in "regime change" operations.
Searching for CanpTransparencia lead me back to an assortment of articles in English and Spanish that really say no more. Sources include Prensa Latina, a Marxist mailing list and some assorted blogs. That doesn't necessarily make the allegations un-true but it sure donsn't tell us what is really happening as well. Anyone seen any "facts behind the rumors"?
Jorge Capelan
I was investigating a little bit about this note, that has like source one of the blog of leftist internationalist that support Ortega's party tortillaconsal, the same site that is administrated by who open and administer Toni solo website , a site that never work because is only a link. Also the information was reproduced by LaPrimerisama, a radio that is under Willian Grysby administrtion , the same journalist that till Ortega's second arrive to office was a big critic of the FSLN and the PACTO, but that miraculous change his approach and now is again under the shadow of the party government.
This article was wrote by Jorge Capelan a Uruguayan journalist that mainly write in Rebelion.org the counterpart of the Inquirer.
I read the whole article and he don't show any proof of his allegations , all is based in conjectures, in a country where more than 4500 ONG received aid from governments and private organizations, in a country where this same ONG just last year where the target of the government because their support for the claim of the majority of the people for a transparency and rule of law in this country.
But look some of the wonderful essay of this "journalist"
Jorge Capelan
“Este gobierno de minoría es uno que ha atravesado una de las crisis económicas más agudas de la Nicaragua moderna. Al caerse las torres gemelas del Lehman Brothers se cayeron también las remesas del extranjero y las exportaciones a los EE.UU. Para colmo de males, una parte de los países donantes decidió aportar su grano de arena a la democracia nicaragüense congelando la ayuda internacional. “
“ Por suerte Venezuela se come con gusto la carne y los frijoles nicas, “
“A pesar de lo importante de la ayuda bolivariana, de los médicos cubanos, de las inversiones rusas, iraníes y de otros países, “
http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=94907
BIAS
My old discussion in this blog has been about foreigners working like reporters or activist supporting the government party.
Bringing tortilla con Sal, nicanetwork, argenpress, and on and on places where reporters like Dick Emmanuelson, Tony Solo or Kelly Jacobs. or Hanna Given or Giorgio Truchi, writes their piece of propaganda ...is very but very unlikely that can be used like a really serious source of information.
In the case of Prensa Latina..everybody know that is but a front of propaganda directed by La Havana, almost the same as TeleSur or Venevision in Venezuela or Canal 4, canal 8, Radio Ya, Radio Sandino, 19digital, La Voz de sandino, here in Nicaragua
But been more accuracy in intervention or destabilization for foreign forces...the case of the President of ALBANISA, is the must clear example. http://www.nicaliving.com/node/16615
This is other case of destabilization that is closely linked to our country because the ALBA http://barricada.com.ni/2009/12/13/la-coordinadora-simon-bolivar/
And in this small essay we can see little bit about intervention. http://barricada.com.ni/2009/10/21/peones-de-potencias-y-caudillos/
And we can forget the superb job that in Honduras was close to put in office another Chavez puppet.
So for to me is only two scenarios....
►a big game of disinformation, for powers groups controlling media or
►a really intervention game, played for others power groups, that has been the sad history of the third world countries, attacked and sacked for the first world and saved (is what they say) for the leaders and caudillos that later become merely dictators, worser than the original problems. And in this game... sure the media has they own piece of cake.
So nicanor, who do we turn to?
Who do we turn to for accurate information, other than seeing it with our own eyes. Given that you have described (in your opinion) why certain sources are not to be trusted, and for those of us learning, or making our decisions to move here, move out of here or whatever it may be, which sources, if any (in your opinion) are reliable?
well
I have the advantage to had been a with that people (leftist before, capitalist and catholic now)before, so i know very well for what their stand and what are their ways. Also to be Nicaraguan and know very well the politic spectrum and the behavior of must of them, and the other fact is to read the three sources that will give to you the chance to establish a more close reality.
In my case i read La Prensa, that is a right paper, and no matter they attack fierce the government, they provide with a lot of information of the wrong doing and also provide us with a must closer view of the pretensions of the rightist in the country. I read END a must centric paper, with a must impartial way of analysis but also with a investigative report that give to you a better understanding of the politics forces in the country and also of the government wrong doing.
And sure... the danielistas media, to know exactly what they are doing and what are the lies or issues they trying to cover up.
Let me say that in Spanish is overwhelming the opinion of Nicaraguans that are clear that this government, isn't what they say but also that the opposition is what all Nicaraguan we know (a part of the problem)....that is what we call "el mal menor", where Nicaraguans we must choose the politicians that at least don't have the messianic pretensions of the government party , their dictatorial ways and inefficiency in the administration.
But the last problem is that they has find out the way to establish a alliance with them (opposition) based in economic and political interest, that has let to the civil society almost with out truly representatives.
This scenario, is not perceived for people with political and ideological agendas already established, they will continue supporting what they believe or what they know is the real leftist (populist) power in the country, something that is a merely political clientelism. That is what we saw in this kind of "political correctness journalism".
One of the best examples is Chavez, a guy that himself has declared that the marxism is a failure, but for reason of been the only one in the region to have fierce rhetoric against the "imperialism" so is backed up even for marxists and communist.
evil evil evil
It is called CamTransparencia and if you look at their website you can see how horribly evil they are. Obvious subversives who should be put up against a wall and shot!
/sarcasm
Rather than
looking at the world though rose colored, patriotic, the USA can do no wrong glasses, lets look at some facts:
Our favorite Baseball Manager Callahan:
The current U.S. ambassador in Managua, Robert J. Callahan had a secretary of public relations John Dimitri Negroponte as he and the Embassy of Honduras in Tegucigalpa became a sanctuary for the contras in the decade of the 80s. Callahan would work 20 years later with the same Negroponte as director of public relations in occupied Iraq. By then, his convoy hired by the companies said Blackwater mercenaries opened fire on a taxi they were riding in, killing the young Iraqi civilians 19 years Yas Ali Mohammed Yassiri and wounding the driver Mohammed Nouri Hattab. Prior to fulfill its mission in Iraq, Callahan had taught at the National War Academy in Washington, DC, before arriving in Managua in July 2008 had been Director of Public Affairs at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in Washington, DC for over 2 years . At the time of the appointment of Callahan as ambassador in Managua, the New York Times reporter Stephen Kinzer said, "... is a strange choice (...) considering that he helped inflict on this country one of the bloodiest wars in their history ".
Are you disputing any of these statements? If so please provide documentation to support your claims. In my opinion Callahan is a dangerous man that should have his butt kicked out of Nicaragua.
Paul Trivelly, the soft spoken "public servant" seems to have a lot more to offer than just diplomatic skills:
After being removed from Managua in August 2008 was appointed Subcomandante Civil (Civilian Deputy) and foreign policy adviser of U.S. Southern Command in Miami (USSOUTHCOM) . SOUTHCOM itself explains that, as Subcomandante Civil Trivelli is responsible for developing and continually refine the regional strategy of USSOUTHCOM, its Plan of Theater of War and Security Cooperation of the theater. He also plays a key role in coordination between the U.S. agencies to carry out those plans. As an adviser on international policy, advises the Commander of USSOUTHCOM and other commanders on matters related to foreign policy the United States in regard to national security. Regarding his academic formació, Trivelli obtained in 1996 an MA in National Security Studies from the Naval War College.
Again, please let us know if any of the above statements are false.
Since Trivelli was closely associated with USAID / Cam Transparencia in Nicaragua, it stands to reason, there were motives other than acting as a symbolic figurehead that motivated his involvement with USAID.
This brings us to Mary Hogan Person in charge of USAID in Nicaragua and a close associate of Mr. Trivelli and surely Mr. Callahan:
Mary Hogan’s Experience
Senior Consultant Casals & Associates, Inc.
(Privately Held; International Trade and Development industry)
June 2008 — Present (1 year 10 months)
Acting Chief of Party on USAID OTI Program in Zimbabwe; Acting Chief of Party on USAID OTI Program in Uganda; Chief of Party on USAID Nicaragua Transparency Program; Consultant on proposal preparation for Paraguay program. * Volunteer Audio Information Network of Colorado
(Broadcast Media industry)
2006 — 2009 (3 years )
This is from the homepage of Casals & Associates, Inc. http://www.casals.com/
Welcome
Casals & Associates (Casals), a DynCorp International company, is an international development firm delivering groundbreaking solutions to social, institutional and political challenges. We work globally addressing democracy and governance, rule of law and justice, local governance, conflict management and recovery, health and other urgent issues facing societies today.
Now I suppose we will hear that the fact that the head of USAID / Cam Transparencia is employed by DynaCorp is a pure coincidence. We will hear that Trivelli is now employed in a military capacity is just a matter of improving his position. We will surely hear how corrupt the Nicaraguan government is and that any measures are justified since they pose a grave danger to the USA.
Someone wanted proof that DynCorp, one of the dirtiest contractors in the business is operating in Nicaragua. Now you have the proof.
You really want to find out? Just follow the dotted line, or in this case the money and the suspicious activities.
USAID seems but a front for companies such as DynCorp. I suspect DynCorp has close ties to the US intelligence community.
Every so often a mistake is made, or a reporter digs a little too deep and a whole pile of Caca is uncovered. So let's not be naive and pretend the USA government is not at least as corrupt as any other government on the planet. Since the USA is more powerful, I venture to say they are more corrupt. They are just better in hiding the corruption.
I suppose I better keep a bullet in the chamber of my pistol from now on. :-)
sigh
A Uruguayan reporter, based in Sweden, reporting on a F$LN radio website. Pure 100% conjecture altho there is another word in Spanish beginning with "C" that comes to mind.
Don't you think the current F$LN dictadura is doing well enough destabilizing NicaLandia?
Rather than the same old "it's all propaganda" why not
offer your opinion what these "upstanding" military contractors are doing in Nicaragua. Why not tell us about their lily white motives?
Could it be they are here only to hand out candy canes to the children at X-mas?
Other information about DynCorp in Nicaragua
I found this article http://www.tortillaconsal.com/tortilla/node/5563 . Some will say it is politically slanted, but most of the facts presented are hard to deny.
More historical info on DynCorp & their involvment in Nicaragua. http://www.argenpress.info/2010/03/la-sombra-de-la-dyncorp-vuela-sobre.h...
Could it be they are recruiting for their Afghanistan operations? http://www.theworldismycountry.org/allposts/mercs-dyncorp-now-a-division...
In any case, seeing they are such upstanding folks, we should all feel safer just knowing they are in the country......
sigh, again
Oh goody, Tortillas de Mierda! Yes, one of THE approved news sources along with Granma, World People's Daily, Pravda, da da da comrade. Por favor.
Anyway, that is the article referred to in the OP referencing the InsideCostaRica article. No surprise that Stephen -- er Toni -- posts it along with his other (long-winded, poorly written and highly illogical) hate speech on Tortillas de Mierda.
And what "proof" do you find sooooooooooooo convincing in that article? He provides a looooooooong list of allegedly subversive NGOs allegedly receiving funds/training/black helicopters from CamTransparencia/DynCorp. But that's all he does is provide a list.
This same list is the "hit-list" of the F$LN -- organizations who actually believe that one's vote should count, that elections MUST be transparent, that the lack of observation, transparency, and accountability leads to thugocracy (see turbas divinas).
And, per usual, not one word about the injection of VeneCuba in NicaLandia's internal affairs -- only smears against allegedly evil programs back by the imperialists.
sigh.
rather than...
Believing a 3rd hand report from someone who has NEVER set foot in NicaLandia, reported on a F$LN "news" outlet, how about offer some PROOF that these military contractors are actually in-country?
My wife's cousin's brother-in-law told me that he heard that ....
sheesh!
Let me turn this around
and ask you: Do you have proof they are not?
Too much evidence they are....
Lets go back in time a litle bit..
To crush it down into a headline, It took several years and a lot of failed attempts at organization but eventually a group was formed and Somoza was removed from power.
However, that was in, shall we say "more primitive times".
As politicians and military use more and more hi-tech tools and the information age to get the job done. So do those that are trying to undermine what other governments do.
We are in a white collar age, everything is at the touch of a keystroke. Years ago it was AK47's and jungle ops.
So yes, crgsmguy, the article may be a bit light on information and written from outside the country but it is no less relevant in principal to show how a small group, IF that was their intent, could use all of the current tools available to achieve the sort of results that leave us all saying "what just happened?"
This government is well aware of why and how to get those results, they did it themselves, the hard way.
If you were running the show, you would want to know who is working in the factory, who is talking to your staff, undermining your plans and programs as well as influencing them in any way by handing out free this and free that for maybe even just a simple change of thinking (or voting) in return.
When one looks at what has been done in the way of undermining governments around the world in order to achieve the so called "right result", this little country would be walk in the park wouldn't it?
Just my thoughts.
hmmm
How to prove a negative????