Congratulations on your April 22 cover story, “Hepatitis C: The Insidious Spread of a Killer Virus” (Society). The article is not only a greatly needed wake-up call to the 4 million Americans infected with hepatitis C but also a testament to the way the disease affects men, women and children from all walks of life. As your story highlights, most people do not know that they have been infected because hepatitis C progresses slowly and is silent, as the liver is a “noncomplaining” organ. For those who believe they may be at risk of having contracted hepatitis C, the American Liver Foundation has a health-risk assessment, which people may access from our toll-free national help line, 888-4HEP-USA, or through our Web site, liverfoundation.org. For people who test positive, especially when the disease has progressed, there are treatment options that are more effective than ever. Alan P. Brownstein President and CEO American Liver Foundation New York, N.Y.
Thanks so much for the very informative article on hepatitis C; it’s an awesome piece of work! My husband found out he had the disease in December 2001. He has had this virus for 15 to 20 years and is fortunate to have little or no scarring and viral activity. The key to gaining control over this virus is to become armed with accurate information and respond accordingly. Knowledge is power when it comes to this illness. Nia Washington Denver, Colo.
As hepatitis C patients and authors of a book, “The First Year–Hepatitis C,” we applaud your decision to place hepatitis C on your April 22 cover. Geoffrey Cowley does a commendable job of shattering the stigma of hep C as a “junkie disease,” as well as the myth that sexual transmission is very common. He shows how hep C affects people from all walks of life and lists well-known transmission routes. Hep C is spread by blood-to-blood contact, but it is not merely a needle-borne infection. You can contract it by sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, manicure scissors or other household items that can draw blood. These items don’t come packaged with warning labels that say don’t share, but the American public needs to know about these risks. Lisa Montanarelli Cara Bruce San Francisco, Calif.
Hooray for NEWSWEEK. I am a hepatitis C sufferer, currently in remission following interferon treatment, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to see your coverage of this pervasive and devastating disease. You are helping to bring hep C out of the closet. I have been a NEWSWEEK subscriber for many years, and it is reporting like this that will keep me subscribing for many more. Jay Maul Columbus, Ohio
Don’t Ignore Malta
Ambassador of MaltaWashington, D.C.
Editor’s note: NEWSWEEK stands by its reporting.
‘Set the Record Straight’
Our network has always been a gathering place for Venezuelan leaders when significant events occur in our country. April 11 was no exception. Venezuelans were profoundly concerned and saddened by the deaths of peaceful and unarmed civilians participating in a protest march. During that day, the transmitter that distributes the signals of broadcast television, including Venevision, had been rendered inoperable by the Chavez government, limiting the ability of the press to cover the breaking events. With television coverage interrupted, leaders from all sectors of Venezuelan society began spontaneously to turn up at Venevision throughout the day trying to learn the breaking news, and, when television broadcasting was re-established, to go on the air to express their views; such was the case of Mr. Carmona. Throughout the day more than 100 visitors were received. However, your reporters have incorrectly concluded that the presence of individuals at a public broadcast station somehow makes me the personal financial backer of the events and actively involved in orchestrating the events. Neither of these conclusions is accurate, and I categorically deny them both.
It is publicly known that I have led Venevision through six presidential elections and that I have issued strong directives to my editors to ensure impartiality and fairness in the allotting of air time to candidates, as anyone close to Venevision could have attested. I believe self-determination to be the cornerstone of democracy. With this in mind, the role of the media is to be a conduit to disseminate freely information that will allow every individual to express his or her political preference. It is against my principles and beliefs to finance the unconstitutional ousting of an elected leader. Venevision has been one of the nation’s foremost defenders of democracy. These principles are part of my family legacy.
I would also like to set the record straight with respect to my relationship with President Chavez. When President Chavez was elected, I offered my institutional support to his government concerning educational programs. Over the course of President Chavez’s administration, we have had meetings–some have been social in nature, while others focused on policy discussions. We have not always agreed, but mutual respect has prevailed in our discussions.
As early as a week before the coup I spoke with President Chavez, and I made him aware of my increasing concern about the future of free and open press in Venezuela. He embraced my idea of starting a national dialogue with the media and other concerned parties, which was scheduled to begin that fateful weekend. Our only purpose for these efforts was to avert conflict that could trigger a wave of violence.
The articles also refer to phone conversations that I had with Assistant Secretary of State Otto Reich during those hours of political turmoil and great confusion. I can assure you that Assistant Secretary Reich expressed deep concern over the violence, and he was, as all foreign-policy leaders in the United States have been, very clear about the need for all Venezuelans to resolve their grievances within the framework of the country’s institutions.
In conclusion, Defense Minister Jose Vicente Rangel also has spoken out: “[NEWSWEEK’s assertions] seem absolutely foolhardy. Besides, we cannot begin to see coup participants, even in the soup… I have a longstanding relationship with Gustavo Cisneros, a very cordial relationship, and I do not believe that Gustavo Cisneros would become involved in an adventure… I do not consider him [to be] a Venezuelan capable of adventures of that nature.” Gustavo A. Cisneros Chairman and CEO Cisneros Group of Companies Caracas, Venezuela
Your statements about Gustavo Cisneros’s alleged participation in the events that generated the power vacuum which took place in our country are baseless. As a leader of one of the institutions representative of civil society, I took part in sundry programs at Venevision, but topics related to the nationally and internationally known situation were never analyzed with Mr. Cisneros. Pedro Carmona Estanga Former President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce [Carmona recently acted as interim president of Venezuela] Caracas, Venezuela
Editor’s note: In the April 29 issues of NEWSWEEK and NEWSWEEK International, we ran a story on the attempted coup against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. As part of these stories, we noted contacts that Gustavo Cisneros, a prominent Venezuelan businessman, had with the Chavez opposition. We stand by our account of circumstances and statements that raised questions about Mr. Cisneros’s role in the events of April 11-12, but we regret any suggestion that he was personally involved in the plot or its financing. We apologize for any misunderstanding.
