Joe Kennedy's Pro-Chavez Ad Campaign Not a 'Profile In Courage'

Mack Calls on Kennedy to Cease Pro-Chavez Ads Immediately

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Calling Venezuelan President Hugo Chaves a "world-class dictator," Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) today sent the following letter to former Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy to immediately cease his pro-Chavez ad campaign for CITCO.

The text is as follows: 

February 7, 2011

The Honorable Joseph P. Kennedy II

Chairman

Citizens Energy Corporation

88 Black Falcon Avenue

Center Lobby, Suite # 342

Boston, MA  02210

Dear Congressman Kennedy:

I am writing to you again, as I did in 2007, for you to immediately cease your new ad campaign in support of Venezuelan world-class dictator Hugo Chavez, a man who suppresses the basic human rights of his people and has recently formed a strategic military alliance with Iran which threatens the security of the U.S. in our own backyard.  What you are doing is disgraceful, shameful and against the interests of the American people. 

At a time when the world is demonstrating unrest with dictators such as Chavez, you are allowing your name and image to be used to cover over the anti-American interests of Chavez.  I would think you, of all people, would also not let yourself be duped by Chavez.

Only you can answer the question as to why:  for the money, for the craving for the spotlight?  I would imagine there would be many avenues at your disposal to help the needy instead of allying yourself with Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In this month of February alone, Hugo Chavez is shipping two cargoes of gasoline to Iran in direct violation of Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Disinvestment Act of 2010, so in effect what your campaign purports to do is turn a blind eye to U.S. law and use the profits of the sale of gas to Iran to fund your pro-Chavez campaign and line your pockets. This is certainly not a Profile In Courage.

As Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee I will soon be calling for a joint State Department/Treasury Department taskforce to investigate illegal activity engaged in by Venezuelan officials and Venezuelan owned PDVSA's involvement in Iran's energy sector.  During the course of these investigations it would be informative for the American people to know how much Iranian money is being spent for your services and the ad campaign in support of Hugo Chavez.

The American people and I anxiously await your response.

Sincerely,

CONNIE MACK

Member of Congress

SOURCE Office of Congressman Connie Mack

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