Posted on 04/07/2006 6:35:52 PM PDT by blam
US accuses Venezuela over attack
Motorcyclists chased the convoy for at least 10 minutes
The US has accused city officials of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, of complicity in an attack on the car of US Ambassador William Brownfied. The ambassador's convoy was pelted with eggs, onions and tomatoes and chased by motorbikes for some miles by supporters of President Hugo Chavez.
US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said the attack had been condoned by the city government.
However, the mayor's office in Caracas denied any involvement in the incident.
The BBC's Greg Morbasch in Caracas said Mr Brownfield is accustomed to verbal abuse from supporters of the president but this latest incident is the first time he and his team have had objects thrown at them.
Mr Brownfield - who was visiting a low-income neighbourhood in Caracas to donate baseball equipment to underprivileged children - had recently stated he was concerned for his safety.
Diplomatic consequences
The US under secretary of state told Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez that if such an incident happens again there would be severe diplomatic consequences, department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Supporters of Hugo Chavez are said to be behind the protests
Mr Burns said the attack was a violation of the Vienna Convention and that the action was clearly condoned by the local government, the spokesman said.
US Embassy spokesman Brian Penn said the Venezuelan police escorting the convoy did not intervene to stop the incident.
"The motorcyclists were throwing things at us for at least 10 minutes, and the police did nothing... It was serious," he said.
Mr Penn claimed the incident was organised by the mayor's office in Caracas, which has denied any involvement in the incident.
"No official authorised by the mayor's office participated," Luis Martinez, a spokesman for Mayor Juan Barreto, told AP.
Officials said the incident was organised by local residents who wanted Mr Brownfield to leave the area.
Strained relations
Relations between the US and Venezuela have been strained for some time, and Mr Brownfield has faced protests at recent appearances.
The American embassy has also asked the Venezuelan government to improve security for the ambassador, saying it is legally bound to do so.
President Chavez has been at loggerheads with Washington, accusing the Bush administration of orchestrating assassination and coup attempts in order to get at Venezuela's vast oil reserves, our correspondent says.
But US officials say Mr Chavez is causing instability in the region with his fiery anti-Bush rhetoric and autocratic style of leadership.
But Jimmy Carter certified the election.
Meow.
"Yeah baby how 'bout we go to my villa for some hanky-panky, no?"
Does that concoction sound familiar?
get real !!\\
You need to get real. This forum is private property and as such you are NOT free to post anything you want to.
Your support of a dictator who has a phobia about America says all I need to know about you.
Free Republic is the premier online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America.
Why would we support the corruption prevalent in Chavez's government? This is a conservative website, not socialist, not democrat, not communist...but conservative. Deal with it!
You wouldn't know a fact if it came up and slapped you upside your peabrained head.
Would you like to partake in some fresh troll this evening?
Who cares if Castro goes to church? For that matter who cares if Chavez does? What does going to church have to do with bad politics?
You are a really bad liar. There are no National Guard Ranger units.
Why don't you just claim to be a SEAL like all the other imaginary warriors?
Yup -
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/americas/14518945.htm
CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that Venezuelan voters should have the chance to decide whether he should govern the country for the next 25 years.
Like I said, Chavez is a dictator who wants to rule for life.
Chavez is president for life. I don't expect him to step down voluntarily.
Will somebody just shoot the idiot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.