Condoleezza Rice clarifies conflict with Hugo Chávez

US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice explained that repeated clashes between Washington and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez have emerged because he has been asked to rule democratically, and not because he is a leftist.

"We have no problems with left-wing and center government, provided that they rule democratically," said Rice before the US Congress on the eve of her trip to Chile, where she is to attend the inauguration of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

"This is not a matter of whether I am on the left or the center, but the point is that people democratically elected should rule democratically, as set forth in the OAS Democratic Charter," Rice ensured.

Further, she said she had no plans to meet with the Venezuelan President next Saturday.