[NYTr] Venezuela Accuses US of Provocation by Armed Soccer Agents
 
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:03:34 -0500 (CDT)


Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Previous Coverage: "Soccer US Team Flops at Copa America, Claim Venez
"Harassed" Armed US Agents" - July 6, 2007
http://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/Week-of-Mon-20070702/065353.html

AP via The Miami Herald - July 11, 2007
http://www.miamiherald.com/583/story/166436.html

Venezuela accuses U.S. of soccer provocation

The Associated Press

CARACAS -- Venezuela's justice minister accused security agents
traveling with the American team at the Copa America of provoking local
authorities by carrying weapons.

Security guards from foreign countries are not permitted to bear arms
during such events, Pedro Carreno said on Tuesday.

But he did not directly deny a statement last week by U.S. Ambassador
William Brownfield that the two U.S. State Department security agents
had permits to carry handguns when they arrived in Maracaibo ahead of
the team's June 28 opening match.

A State Department spokesman accused President Hugo Chavez's government
of harassing the agents.

But Carreno called the agents' conduct ''an act of provocation,''
telling a news conference they were temporarily held by Venezuelan
authorities who confiscated their weapons and returned them when the
agents left the country.

''One of the responsibilities the host country assumes is guaranteeing
security for the delegations,'' Carreno said.

He noted Venezuela had provided police security for all 12 teams at the
tournament, which ends on Sunday.

Brownfield said additional security ''is normal when a U.S. national
team travels to another country.'' The U.S. team was eliminated last
week from the South American championship.

Relations between Caracas and Washington have been tense under Chavez,
a close ally of Cuba leader Fidel Castro who has vowed to resist what
he calls ''U.S. imperialism'' while he steers Venezuela toward
socialism.
       
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