Senate "Watchdog" to Review US Actions in Caracas Coup

Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit

Washington Post - May 14, 2002; Page A05

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11787-2002May13.html

WASHINGTON IN BRIEF

Watchdog Agrees to Venezuela Review

The State Department's inspector general has agreed to review U.S.
policy and actions during the failed coup attempt against Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez April 12-14, an aide to Sen. Christopher J.
Dodd (D-Conn.) said yesterday. The Bush administration, which
characterized the coup attempt as a "change in government" during its
early hours, later joined Latin American governments in condemning
the "alteration of constitutional order in Venezuela" after it was
clear that Chavez had returned to power.

The administration has denied allegations of involvement in the coup,
despite its antipathy toward Chavez and a series of meetings with
opponents of his government in the months preceding the attempt. Dodd
requested an expedited review of "relevant documents, including
e-mails, memoranda, cables, telephone transcripts, press guidance,
telephone and meeting logs, and relevant intelligence collection and
analysis available to the Department or Embassy in Caracas." He also
asked that relevant U.S. government and non-government officials be
interviewed.

The review is expected to be completed by July 3, after which Dodd
plans to hold subcommittee hearings.
 
=================================================================
  NY Transfer News Collective   *   A Service of Blythe Systems 
           Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us          
              339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012             
  http://www.blythe.org                  e-mail: nyt@blythe.org 
=================================================================
 
nytsa-05.15.02-07:10:43-31269