Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez's letter to the US Senate follows the excerpts.
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Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States Bernardo Alvarez, sent a letter to members of the Subcommittees of International Operations, to Representatives of the U.S. Senate, and to other officials of the American government, to clarify several acusations against the Venezuelan government done by some Colombian newspapers.
"My country has been falsely accused of sheltering terrorist activities against Colombia in our territory, of supporting Colombian guerillas, and, by innuendo, it has even been suggested that there is some form of alliance between the Venezuelan government and Colombian subversives. This campaign has manipulated and misrepresented facts and has created false impressions and negative opinions about Venezuela," Alvarez said.
According to Alvarez, the Venezuelan government has investigated several of the allegations, and he invited the U.S. officials meet in order to discuss their concerns and the results of those investigations.
The Ambassador also asked members of the Subcommittees of International Operations, to eliminate SEC. 687 in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (HR2800) on the grounds that the way it is drafted, suggests that the Venezuelan government could be “assisting, harboring, or providing sanctuary for Colombian terrorist organizations.”
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1092
Letter from Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States to U.S. officials with regard to Colmbian media accusations and the U.S. Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
Thursday, Nov 06, 2003
By: Embassy of Venezuela in the United States
The Honorable
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
Dear Senator
Washington, November 5, 2003
For several years, the Venezuelan government has been following with increased concern, the unfolding of a media campaign in the Colombian and opposition-controlled Venezuelan press that is directed against the reputation and standing of my country, my government and that of President Hugo Chavez Frias.
This campaign has manipulated and misrepresented facts and has created false impressions and negative opinions about Venezuela. My country has been falsely accused of sheltering terrorist activities against Colombia in our territory, of supporting Colombian guerillas, and, by innuendo, it has even been suggested that there is some form of alliance between the Venezuelan government and Colombian subversives.
None of these allegations, innuendos, or suggestions are true or supported by credible evidence. To the contrary, it is our view that this campaign is a product of collaboration between the Venezuelan opposition and those who oppose the Venezuelan government’s reform efforts and seek to preserve the social and economic status quo.
We are aware of certain specific allegations that have been made against our country in this regard, and, in response, have investigated them in detail. Conscious that this manipulation of information has significantly affected my country and has affected its relations with other countries, I would like to share with you the results of our investigation. I extend to you an invitation to sit down with us to discuss your concerns in detail so that we may address those issues on a basis of fact rather than innuendo. We are confident that through this process, you would conclude, as have we, through a detailed investigation, that there is no merit to these allegations.
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