Posted on 03/24/2006 4:03:52 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
CARACAS - (AP) -- The U.S. ambassador called for better security from Venezuelan authorities Thursday, a day after a hostile protest threatened him and his delegation during a trip outside the capital.
U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield and his delegation were blocked from entering a social club Wednesday by supporters of President Hugo Chávez. The protesters also burned a U.S. flag and set tires ablaze in the town of San Juan de los Morros, some 50 miles southwest of Caracas.
''If their desire is intimidation, lamentably they have failed because I will continue my efforts,'' Brownfield told Union Radio.
''I don't want to provoke, I don't want confrontation every time I travel, but at the same time I'm going to travel, and the government and I have to establish a system that works and permits me to travel and permits them to take the necessary security measures,'' he said.
He urged those with any misgivings in the future to speak with him directly, saying he would welcome dialogue over such protests.
Brownfield said the crowd outside the Italian-Venezuelan social club never physically attacked the delegation, but it took police four hours to arrive and calm the situation.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Brian Penn said earlier there appeared to have been ''official involvement'' in the protest, with some demonstrators wearing the credentials of state employees.
Brownfield noted Thursday that many protesters arrived in buses and the governor's office sent lunches, but he refused to elaborate, saying he did not want to speculate.
U.S. officials say Chávez has failed to commit himself to democratic principles and poses a threat to the region's stability. Chávez has repeatedly accused U.S. officials of trying to discredit his government and orchestrate his ouster. American officials deny those allegations.
Brownfield has faced protests at a number of other public appearances, including one recent visit to Venezuela's Margarita Island when his car was pelted with rocks.
I am certain these are paid thugs of chavez... it's the way he works.
LLS
It certainly is.
Chavez and Iran - pick, pick, pick. There is a reason I haven't quite figured out. My suspicion is they are trying to provoke us into a response that will then become the reason to blame us for the next terrorist attack in this country. I think they have such an attack ready but are awaiting the proper time with the elections in mind.
The Democrats will blame Bush but it will backfire because the public still trusts Bush over any Democrat.. Still, it will be too late for many.
Just a SWAG of course.
***......CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned that if U.S. troops were to invade any Latin American country, “revolutionaries” from across the region would join forces to battle the Americans.
Chavez's remark in a speech Monday night confirmed what many in Venezuela have long presumed: that his government would go to the aid of a close ally like Cuba in the hypothetical scenario of the U.S. sending troops. ..........***
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20060321-0430-venezuela-us.html
Hillary is probably just waiting for the revolution to begin. That is likely her only chance. It won't work but it will create one Hell of a rukus. Then we must really keep our eye on China.
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