Chavez: U.S. Spreading Invasion Rumors
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)- President Hugo Chavez Monday dismissed as ridiculous suggestions that Venezuela has territorial designs on the Netherlands Antillies, and accused the United States of spreading rumors.
Chavez's comments came after Netherlands Defense Minister Henk Kamp, during a recent parliament debate, said Chavez was looking "with big eyes" at Dutch-aligned islands in the Caribbean.
Kamp said, however, there was no immediate threat to the islands and that the Netherlands wanted good relations with Venezuela.
Chavez took the issue up Monday after a demonstration by pilots flying new military helicopters, calling Kamp "a truly ridiculous man."
Chavez first criticized Kamp on Sunday during his weekly television program, saying the defense minister was being manipulated by the U.S. "He's without a doubt being a pawn of Washington," Chavez said.
Chavez accused the United States of being behind an effort to make it appear that Venezuela has territorial designs on some countries in the region.
"This is part of a worldwide campaign by the United States against us," he said.
Chavez has previously suggested the Dutch islands off Venezuela's coast could be used as a launching pad for a U.S. invasion. The islands, most of which are administered as part of the Netherlands Antilles, fall under Dutch military protection.
Chavez's running skirmishes with the Bush White House have increased tensions, with U.S. officials charging the Venezuelan government poses problems in the region and that its ties to Cuba were dangerous to democracy in Latin America.
Chavez insists his government is democratic and accuses Washington of conspiring against him. He says the United States was behind a short-lived 2002 coup, an allegation that U.S. officials reject.
Chavez in September described as a "lie" the official U.S. explanation that American troops last year visited Curacao for rest and recreation. He claimed the troops were practicing invasion scenarios involving aircraft carriers and planes.
Meanwhile, during the next two months the U.S. is planning what Ambassador William Brownfield said are regular naval exercises in the region.
The U.S. Southern Command said an aircraft carrier — along with a destroyer, cruiser, frigate and 60-plane air wing — will conduct exercises from early April to late May with other Caribbean countries to enhance maritime security.
Chavez's comments came after Netherlands Defense Minister Henk Kamp, during a recent parliament debate, said Chavez was looking "with big eyes" at Dutch-aligned islands in the Caribbean.
Kamp said, however, there was no immediate threat to the islands and that the Netherlands wanted good relations with Venezuela.
Chavez took the issue up Monday after a demonstration by pilots flying new military helicopters, calling Kamp "a truly ridiculous man."
Chavez first criticized Kamp on Sunday during his weekly television program, saying the defense minister was being manipulated by the U.S. "He's without a doubt being a pawn of Washington," Chavez said.
Chavez accused the United States of being behind an effort to make it appear that Venezuela has territorial designs on some countries in the region.
"This is part of a worldwide campaign by the United States against us," he said.
Chavez has previously suggested the Dutch islands off Venezuela's coast could be used as a launching pad for a U.S. invasion. The islands, most of which are administered as part of the Netherlands Antilles, fall under Dutch military protection.
Chavez's running skirmishes with the Bush White House have increased tensions, with U.S. officials charging the Venezuelan government poses problems in the region and that its ties to Cuba were dangerous to democracy in Latin America.
Chavez insists his government is democratic and accuses Washington of conspiring against him. He says the United States was behind a short-lived 2002 coup, an allegation that U.S. officials reject.
Chavez in September described as a "lie" the official U.S. explanation that American troops last year visited Curacao for rest and recreation. He claimed the troops were practicing invasion scenarios involving aircraft carriers and planes.
Meanwhile, during the next two months the U.S. is planning what Ambassador William Brownfield said are regular naval exercises in the region.
The U.S. Southern Command said an aircraft carrier — along with a destroyer, cruiser, frigate and 60-plane air wing — will conduct exercises from early April to late May with other Caribbean countries to enhance maritime security.
posted by Marko at 4/04/2006 08:21:00 AM
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