Venezuela Agrees: Otto Reich's a Liar

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


VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT CATEGORICALLY REJECTS OTTO REICH'S CLAIMS

Caracas, May 8 (RHC)--The Venezuelan government has "categorically"
and "unequivocally" rejected allegations by US Undersecretary of
State Otto Reich concerning the presence of Cuban aircraft in Caracas
during the attempted right wing coup against President Hugo Chavez.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Luis Dávila presented an official
complaint to the US embassy in Caracas, asserting that he is at a
loss as to the purpose of such statements devoid of truth.

Dávila said his government will also make known before US officials
its discordance with Reich's statements during the next United
Nations General Assembly in New York. Just hours before, Venezuelan
Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Reich's statements were
surprising in light of the fact that the day he said the Cuban planes
were at an international airport in Caracas - on April 12 - Chavez
was under arrest and authority was in the hands of the coup leaders
who controlled the airport.

On Tuesday, the Cuban government issued a statement challenging Reich
to prove his allegations and pointing to his ignominious past, which
includes lying to Congress about his role in the illegal funding of
Nicaraguan contras during the Ronald Reagan administration. Due to
this and other scandals, the US Senate refused to ratify Reich's
appointment, which led the Bush administration to go over their heads
in a White House ratification that nevertheless is only valid for one
year without Senate approval.

Reich himself has been implicated in expressing support for the right
wing coup during a telephone conversation with the de facto leader,
businessman Pedro Carmona, the same day he was installed in power.


In other Venezuela News:

CHAVEZ SUPPORTER SAYS HE FIRED HIS WEAPON IN SELF-DEFENSE DURING COUP

Caracas, May 8 (RHC)--A supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez who was video tapped firing a weapon during the attempted coup
has turned himself in, insisting that he used his weapon to defend
himself and others as snipers opened fire on pro-government
demonstrators from the upper floors of a hotel. Town Council member
with Chavez's 5th Republic Movement, Richard Peńalver, had days ago
announced while in hiding that he would turn himself over to
authorities.

A large group of Chavez supporters were waiting at the police station
to insure that he was treated correctly. Medical reports have
affirmed that most of those killed were shot in the head by apparent
sniper fire, with both pro- and anti-Chavez activists blaming each
other. But a congressional investigation into the events surrounding
the attempted coup, which began last week, has gradually unveiled
evidence pointing to a premeditated and armed conspiracy to overthrow
the Venezuelan president.

(c) 2002 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
 
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nytsa-05.09.02-06:01:00-12330