Reply #2: Shapiro couldn't have made a worse ass of himself in Venezuela [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Why wouldn't he think Rangel would tell Chavez? He should have been sent packing April, 2002, right after he threw his spindly little arms around Pedro Carmona, who imagined himself Venezuela's new President during that one day.

Just found this interesting article on Shapiro's soiree, in which he invited a fool to make fun of the President of Venezuela:

US Ambassador to Venezuela Makes Ass of Self
author: Arrecha

United States Ambassador to Venezuela, Charles Shapiro, hosted a party in which used "freedom of expression" as an excuse to ridicule President Chavez and to express a desire for "better relations" between Venezuela and the government of George W. Bush.



Last Tuesday, the United States Ambassador Charles Shapiro hosted a party at his residence. The occasion of the gathering was to commemorate "World Freedom of Expression Day." Venezuelan corporate media chiefs, journalism associations and unions, ambassadors, the director of the Unesco, and other personalities were also invited.

As part of the entertainment, Charles Shapiro invited a comedian to divert his guests. The show began with the humorist dressed up as a Marta Colomina (a well-known anti-Chavez journalist) holding a puppet of Chavez—criticizing his government and ridiculing the president.

I found it very cynical that the next day, Shapiro apologized for the show, when witness said that he was applauding vigorously after the show. Shapiro, a puppet himself, said that the embassy did not know in advance the kind of show that they were getting. Meanwhile, the comedian expressed in one of the newspapers, that he actually met with embassy members in advance to discuss his performance at Mr. Shapiro's party.
(snip/...)

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2003/05/264864.shtml

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These rightwingers really aren't too sophisticated, are they? Quite crude, unimaginative. Bet that was some party. Burp.



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R-G Venezuela army group tells U.S. ambassador to stop meddling

Posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 7:14:06 PM
By: VHeadline Reporters


US Ambassador Charles Shapiro warned to stop meddling in Venezuela's
internal
political business

According to a leaked report made available to VHeadline.com, the Venezuelan
Armed Forces (FAN) is to issue a broadside against US Ambassador Charles
Shapiro ahead of Friday's meeting in Washington D.C. of the "Friends of
Venezuela" grouping of Foreign Ministers.

Textually the note from the Venezuelan Information & Intelligence Service
reads:

For the Attention of:
Ambassador Charles Shapiro
irccaracas at pd.state.gov
USA EMBASSY
Caracas

CC. H.E. General Collin Powell,
Secretary of State
secretary at state.gov
CC. Diplomatic Corps, Caracas

International Press Release
Caracas, 23 January 2003

Your Excellency:
We write to inform you that the Venezuelan military is unhappy with your
daily interference in the internal affairs of our country.

- We ask that you should refrain forthwith from interfering in the domestic
affairs of Venezuela as failure on your part to comply with this request may
result in you being declared persona non grata abd, if necessary, we will
request the President to require you to leave our country.

- The political stoppage, aimed at undermining the power of the State and
the
Presidency is a subversive and terrorist act. In short, a similar occurrence
would not be tolerated in "the land of the free" but be subject to legal
measures deemed necessary under your Constitution. Needless to say, we
strongly repudiate that your country is responsible for supporting the
fascist right-wing Venezuelan opposition (including the coup d'etat of April
11). We also take this! opportunity to accuse Spain of supporting the
anti-democratic forces (both "friends" of Dictator-for-a-Day Pedro Carmona
Estanga ).

- When you wish to communicate with our government, we request that you do
so
in the traditional and diplomatically most acceptable way through our
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am sure that you will agree that is a
customary diplomatic norm for a diplomat so please do not bother the
President or his Vice President with your daily "sermons" as they are too
busy to listen to your rants.
(snip/...)

http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/rad-green/2003-January/006275.html