[NYTr] Colombia, Venezuela at an Impasse; Relations Deteriorating - Chavez
 
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:28:26 -0600 (CST)

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Prensa Latina, Havana
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Colombia, Venezuela at an Impasse; Relations Deteriorating: Chavez

Caracas, Nov 26 (Prensa Latina) Relations between Colombia and
Venezuela are going through clear signs of deterioration, paradoxically
after advances towards a humanitarian agreement, according to
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. 

The trigger that sparked off the crisis, as Chavez called it, was the
abrupt interruption by the Colombian government of the Venezuelan
president's mediating for a humanitarian exchange of prisoners in the
hands of the Colombian government and guerrillas.

For Chavez, his one-minute telephone conversation with a Colombian
general was a pretext to cut off a process pointing to positive
results, even hopeful for peace.

The possibility of a meeting with guerrilla leader Manuel Marulanda in
Colombia territory was what led to the reaction of the US and Colombian
sectors interested in maintaining the war, according to Chavez.

After Colombian spokespersons alleged Chavez had disobeyed the order
banning talks with the military, which he denied, Colombian president
Alvaro Uribe accused him of expansionism, causing a strong reaction.

"I am happy with Uribe's reply, because he is now unmasked," stated
Chavez, and added "he does not want peace, he wants to end with the
guerrilla by military force, and has the support of US President George
W. Bush." In a televised interview with several Venezuelan journalists,
Chavez announced he created a situation to follow the crisis, for which
he convened figures such as former Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel.

According to the president, the state of affairs has shown Uribe's
double standard, which he said he always suspected, but "was trying to
be pragmatic in relations."

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Colombians Concerned Over Venezuela Crisis

Bogota, Nov 26 (Prensa Latina) Colombians start the week alert over a
severe crisis in relations with Venezuela, after the harsh verbal
confrontation Sunday between Presidents Alvaro Uribe and Hugo Chavez.

he concern for the political and economic consequences the run-in could
bring has spread in political and business circles.

Former Foreign Minister Rodrigo Pardo, who was ambassador to Caracas,
said that links are "at a critical point" and both presidents must
tone down and promote regular channels from their Foreign Affairs
Ministries to analyze differences.

Former Foreign Minister Maria Enma Mejias also stated that problems
must be solved with a meeting between the two statesmen, to repair
confidence.

On the other hand, Tulio Zuluaga, president of the Automotive Sector
Association (Asopartes), warned that critical situations have occurred
in the past and trade relations have been kept.

Venezuela is Colombia's second trade partner after the United States,
with exchange between the two countries reaching over $5 billion and
sales increased 70 percent this year.

The run-in between both heads of State started after Bogota"s
authorities abruptly cancelled Wednesday the successful mediation
gesture led by Chavez, in search of a humanitarian accord between the
Colombian government and guerrilla.

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