MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chavez avoids debate with Vargas Llosa; will only act as moderator

“If the president wants this dialogue, so be it, although only in equal conditions,” Vargas Llosa said during a brief press conference on Friday. The novelist affirmed he was willing, along with the r

Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa refused to go to debate on Hugo Chávez' TV program “Hello President” (“Aló Presidente”) because the outspoken Venezuelan President said he was only going to be the “moderator”.

“If the president wants this dialogue, so be it, although only in equal conditions,” Vargas Llosa said during a brief press conference on Friday. The novelist affirmed he was willing, along with the rest of the visiting intellectuals, to debate with Chávez in his program “Hello President” (“Aló Presidente”), but he clarified that he would only go only if they could “express themselves, say what we think and criticise what we believe criticisable” and if they could debate face to face with Chávez.

But Venezuelan President said he could help “by being a moderator” but he could not be involved in the debate because he is not an intellectual, he is “simply the President, a soldier. They want equity but I'm just a soldier.”

The novelist said he felt sorry for Chávez' refusal to be an active part of the debate and assured they are not interested in debating with other intellectuals on Chávez' TV programme.

”Refusing to debate is an act of cowardice. He (Chávez) lost the opportunity to speak with one of the most important writers of the world and defend his ideas,“ said Mexican historian Enrique Krauze, who is also in Caracas attending a forum organized by a private entity which opposes the government.

Chávez said anyhow the doors of the presidential Palace of Miraflores will be open on Saturday, eleven in the morning, for Socialist and Liberal intellectuals to debate about capitalism and Socialism.

“It’s regrettable…they won’t accept. They don’t want to debate, what they want is a show”, said Chavez after the liberal intellectuals counter proposed that the debate be between the Venezuelan president and Vargas Llosa.

“Fine, this is the invitation: international guests of the counterrevolution, “Hello President” eleven in the morning…I can help as a moderator; but the debate is among intellectuals. I’m president” he underlined.

Chavez argued that Vargas Llosa must “first be elected president” to debate with him.

“Seriously, gentlemen of the right: 'Hello President,' which happens to be commemorating its 10th anniversary, opens its doors to debate” Chavez said during the second day of a marathon four-day edition of his program. “Come. You'll be respected.”

Vargas Llosa, former Mexican Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Castañeda, Colombian writer Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza and historian Krauze are currently in Caracas for a two day forum on democracy and liberty, organized by the local Cedice Liberal think-tank which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Krauze last year published “Power and Delirium” where he analyzes the Chavez phenomena and which was a bestseller in Mexico.