[Marxism] US-Ven. ties veer toward breaking point

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

MSNBC.com

Chavez threatens to expel U.S. ambassador
In Sunday address, Venezuelan president says envoy is provoking people

BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 5:18 p.m. ET April 9, 2006


CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the U.S.
ambassador was "provoking the Venezuelan people" and threatened Sunday
to expel the American diplomat, whose convoy was chased by
pro-government protesters.

"I'm going to throw you out of Venezuela if you continue provoking the
Venezuelan people," Chavez said in a nationally televised speech
addressed to U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield.

"Start packing your bags Mister, if you keep on provoking us, start
packing your bags, because I'll kick you out of here," Chavez said in
the speech, part of his regular Sunday television program.

Venezuela's acting foreign minister on Saturday condemned the crowd of
protesters for pelting Brownfield's car with eggs and tomatoes, but
suggested that Brownfield is partially responsible for failing to advise
authorities of his travel plans in order to avert such problems.

Chavez's more incendiary comments came after Washington warned of
"severe diplomatic consequence" if a similar incident repeats itself.

Relations between Chavez and Washington have fast deteriorated as the
two governments spar over his close ties to Cuba and Iran, and U.S.
officials portray the Venezuelan leader as a threat to regional
democracy.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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C 2006 MSNBC.com

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12239269
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