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Chavez would end Venezuela-US relations: US lawmaker
AFP
WASHINGTON
Petroleumworld.com 01 29 06US Republican lawmaker Connie Mack Friday accused leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez of trying to break diplomatic relations with Washington.
Late Thursday, Chavez said US ambassador William Brownfield may be asked to leave Caracas if he continued to "meddle" in the country's affairs. The embassador has been critical of Venezuela's nationalization policy.
"If Chavez boots ambassador Brownfield from the country, the world will once and for all know Chavez's true intentions: an end to diplomatic relations with the United States and the start of a new era of conflict and isolation that will change the Western Hemisphere," said House of Representatives member Mack.
"Chavez, a friend and protege of communist Fidel Castro, is a threat to the freedom, security and prosperity of the Venezuelan people and all of the Western Hemisphere. The US cannot let his words and actions go unnoticed," said the representative from Florida, home to a large number of conservative Latinos, many of them anti-Castro Cuban emigres.
Chavez said Brownfield should keep to himself 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.
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."
Brownfield, on Friday called for better relations with the United States.
"My suitcases are aways packed but our wish is for better relations," he told journalists in Maracaibo.
Chavez had 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.
AFP 26 2140 GMT 01 07
Copyright© 1999 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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