U.S. orders closing of Venezuelan office
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)- The U.S. government ordered Venezuela to close its military purchasing office in Miami after suspending arms sales to the South American country, American officials said Thursday.
The U.S. government announced in May it was banning new arms sales, accusing President Hugo Chavez's government of failing to cooperate in counterterrorism efforts — a charge strongly denied by Chavez.
Venezuela's Foreign Ministry demanded that the U.S. government uphold all pending contracts for military equipment. American officials have said the United States would honor such contracts.
"The Department of State did inform the Venezuelan government that it has to close the military acquisition office in Miami by Sept. 30," spokeswoman Jan Edmondson said in a telephone interview from Washington.
"Due to the termination of the sale or license for export of defense articles ... it is no longer necessary or appropriate for the Venezuelan government to maintain a military acquisition office," she added.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry denounced the arms ban as part of Washington's attempt to wage a "low-intensity conflict," and demanded compensation for any defense equipment — already paid for — that is not delivered due to the ban.
The U.S. government has urged other countries not to sell weapons to Chavez's administration. The leftist president nevertheless has signed billions of dollars worth of arms deals with Russia, Spain and other countries — including purchases of new jet fighters, weapons and boats.
The U.S. government announced in May it was banning new arms sales, accusing President Hugo Chavez's government of failing to cooperate in counterterrorism efforts — a charge strongly denied by Chavez.
Venezuela's Foreign Ministry demanded that the U.S. government uphold all pending contracts for military equipment. American officials have said the United States would honor such contracts.
"The Department of State did inform the Venezuelan government that it has to close the military acquisition office in Miami by Sept. 30," spokeswoman Jan Edmondson said in a telephone interview from Washington.
"Due to the termination of the sale or license for export of defense articles ... it is no longer necessary or appropriate for the Venezuelan government to maintain a military acquisition office," she added.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry denounced the arms ban as part of Washington's attempt to wage a "low-intensity conflict," and demanded compensation for any defense equipment — already paid for — that is not delivered due to the ban.
The U.S. government has urged other countries not to sell weapons to Chavez's administration. The leftist president nevertheless has signed billions of dollars worth of arms deals with Russia, Spain and other countries — including purchases of new jet fighters, weapons and boats.
posted by Marko at 9/08/2006 08:31:00 AM
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