DATE=8/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-VENEZUELA-IRAQ (L-O)
NUMBER=2-265293
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States has sharply criticized plans
by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to visit Iraq.
The visit to Baghdad Thursday will be the first by a
world leader since U-N sanctions were imposed on Iraq
after its invasion of Kuwait a decade ago. From the
White House, Correspondent Deborah Tate has U-S
reaction.
TEXT: Mr. Chavez began a tour this week of 10 nations
belonging to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries, including Iraq. The Venezuelan leader is
using the trip to invite his Arab counterparts to a
meeting of OPEC heads of state in the Venezuelan
capital, Caracas, on September 27th.
The United States is making its concerns clear about
Mr. Chavez' Baghdad visit. State Department Spokesman
Richard Boucher this week said - it is particularly
galling - that the first trip to Iraq by a foreign
leader since the gulf war is by one who has been
democratically elected.
Mr. Boucher said it is difficult to understand Mr.
Chavez' decision to visit Iraq, given what he says is
that country's continuous flouting of U-N Security
Council resolutions requiring it to abandon its
weapons of mass destruction.
Venezuela has become the United States' largest oil
supplier in recent years - and is the world's third-
largest petroleum exporter.
White House spokesman Joe Lockhart reiterated U-S
concern over Mr. Chavez' Baghdad visit during a
Wednesday briefing.
// LOCKHART ACT //
I understand Venezuela's important role in OPEC and
the fact they are in a leadership position now in that
organization, but I think the government there
understands our view on this trip and understands our
opposition to the trip.
// END ACT //
Mr. Chavez has pursued an independent foreign policy -
seeking a close friendship with Cuba's Fidel Castro
and praising Libya as a model of - participatory
democracy.
U-S officials say they have expressed their concerns
about these matters through private channels to
Caracas, and muted their public criticism because Mr.
Chavez has followed democratic norms.
Although he staged a failed military coup eight-years
ago, he came to power through democratic elections in
1998, and was given a new six-year mandate by voters
last week. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/RAE
09-Aug-2000 13:33 PM EDT (09-Aug-2000 1733 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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