Venezuela's Chavez dares US to cut diplomatic ties

[Ghost in the Machine]

Venezuela's Chavez dares US to cut diplomatic ties
Posted: Dec 28, 2010 9:51 PM EST
Updated: Dec 29, 2010 3:32 AM EST
By JORGE RUEDA
Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dared the United States to expel his ambassador or cut off diplomatic ties in retaliation for his rejection of Washington's choice for ambassador to Caracas.

Tensions have been growing over Chavez's refusal to accept American diplomat Larry Palmer and also over U.S. criticisms of a legislative offensive by the president's congressional allies. Lawmakers have granted Chavez expanded powers to enact laws by decree for the next year and a half, a change that opponents condemn as antidemocratic.

Chavez has said he will not accept Palmer to be ambassador due to comments he made earlier this year suggesting that morale is low in Venezuela's military and that he is concerned Colombian rebels are finding refuge in Venezuela.

The U.S. State Department has said it stands behind its nomination of Palmer, who is awaiting Senate confirmation. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said last week that Venezuela's decision to reject Palmer - after initially giving consent - will have consequences on relations with Caracas, and that the U.S. government will evaluate what to do.

"If the government is going to expel our ambassador there, let them do it!," Chavez said in a televised speech Tuesday night. "If they're going to cut diplomatic relations, let them do it!"

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13752032

[Catherina]

1. Good for Chavez. Rec'd n/t