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The tenor of complaints, which have ricocheted around the hemisphere, suggests that the Bush administration forsook a principled stand on democracy in order to see the fall of Chávez, a populist who is friendly with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in a nation that is a key supplier of crude oil to U.S. consumers.

No, the media is confused - or purposely misleading - for months, Bush and his administration have been very vocal about Hugo Chavez's understanding of democracy. If the media hasn't been paying attention - or don't care - Hugo Chavez has started governing by decree. Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

Key Democratic senators suggest the handling was inept. Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, complained last week that he needs ``adult supervision.''

Gee. Wonder how these "key Dems" felt about Reich during his confirmation hearing?

President refuses

to OK extradition

SANTO DOMINGO · The Dominican president said he would not authorize the extradition request for former Venezuelan President Carlos Andrés Peréz, who is wanted in his home country on corruption charges.

"I will not sign that extradition [request]. The Dominican Republic owes gratitude to Carlos Andrés Peréz, who has been just to the Dominican Republic," President Hipólito Mejía said Sunday in a television interview.

Under Dominican law, the president has final say on who is extradited.

Venezuela petitioned the United States and Dominican Republic for the extradition of Peréz and his wife, Cecilia Matos, who are accused in Venezuela of corruption and illegal enrichment.

Peréz, who has a home in both countries, has been in the United States since January. Venezuelan prosecutors have charged Peréz and his wife with failing to disclose five joint bank accounts in New York while Peréz was president from 1989 to 1993.

Peréz, who was impeached in 1993 on other corruption charges, has denied the current allegations.

"Reich's most prominent critic, Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, complained last week that he needs ``adult supervision.''

Christoper Dodd is a communist, what else would you expect?