Venezuela condemns aggressive protest against US ambassador
CARACAS
Venezuela on Saturday acknowledged "excesses" in a latest protest against U.S. ambassador to Caracas, but also clarified its own opinions.
"The Venezuelan government and people condemn any act of protest that goes beyond the limits of respect," acting Foreign Minister Alcides Rondon told a press briefing after the U.S. government reacted sharply to the incident.
On Friday, after being forced to leave a charity event, U.S. ambassador William Brownfield's car was pelted with eggs, onions and tomatoes by supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The U.S. government responded immediately, summoning Venezuela's ambassador and warning him of "severe diplomatic consequence" should more similar incidents occur.
In recent months, Brownfield has encountered several protests on various occasions, with one incident forcing him to remain inside a building for hours.
But Rondon said, "We must be clear: in our country's political situation there are places where the presence of some people is not welcome."
Moreover, the U.S. embassy was no longer giving police escorts advance word of the ambassador's travel plans that might have helped avert such incidents, he added. But Embassy officials said they do provide such information.
Rondon also warned that if Washington restricts the movements of Venezuela's ambassador, Caracas would respond in kind.
Venezuela on Saturday acknowledged "excesses" in a latest protest against U.S. ambassador to Caracas, but also clarified its own opinions.
"The Venezuelan government and people condemn any act of protest that goes beyond the limits of respect," acting Foreign Minister Alcides Rondon told a press briefing after the U.S. government reacted sharply to the incident.
On Friday, after being forced to leave a charity event, U.S. ambassador William Brownfield's car was pelted with eggs, onions and tomatoes by supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The U.S. government responded immediately, summoning Venezuela's ambassador and warning him of "severe diplomatic consequence" should more similar incidents occur.
In recent months, Brownfield has encountered several protests on various occasions, with one incident forcing him to remain inside a building for hours.
But Rondon said, "We must be clear: in our country's political situation there are places where the presence of some people is not welcome."
Moreover, the U.S. embassy was no longer giving police escorts advance word of the ambassador's travel plans that might have helped avert such incidents, he added. But Embassy officials said they do provide such information.
Rondon also warned that if Washington restricts the movements of Venezuela's ambassador, Caracas would respond in kind.
posted by Alice at
Saturday, April 08, 2006
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