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US ambassador to Venezuela may be asked to leave: Chavez
AFP
CARACAS
Petroleumworld.com 01 26 06Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez late Thursday said the US ambassador may be asked to leave Caracas if he continued to "meddle" in the country's affairs.
Chavez said that William Brownfield could be declared a 'persona non grata' in Venezuela for his comments critical of announced nationalizations of key industries.
"It could be, if he continues meddling in the affairs of Venezuela that do not concern him... he could be declared persona non grata and would have to abandon the country," Chavez said in a speech here.
"The ambassador from the United States has said: the obligation that any government in the world has, including mine, is to carry out a nationalization in a transparent, legal manner and offering just and rapid compensation to the people or owners affected," he said.
The Venezuelan leader added: "Mr. Ambassador, go meddle in the affairs of your country, you have no reason to meddle in Venezuelan issues."
Chavez said if Brownfield did not cease he "would be violating the Geneva Conventions and would be incurring a serious violation."
Chavez earlier announced that this year he would nationalize Venezuela's telecommunications and electrical industries. He has already announced Venezuela will acquire 51 percent of shares in foreign oil operations.
In power since 1999, Chavez in January began a new six-year presidential term with his allies controlling Venezuela's unicameral legislature.
On January 18 the legislature voted unanimously to grant him the power to rule by decree for 18 months.
Chavez has piqued Washington's ire with his fierce anti-US rhetoric, his affinity for Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his warm relations with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who visited Venezuela over the weekend.
AFP 26 0740 GMT 01 07
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