Chavez visit to Spain sparks coup controversy

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L23375923.htm

MADRID, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's fence-mending visit to Spain sparked political uproar on Tuesday when Madrid for the first time backed his allegations that the former Spanish government backed a coup against him.

The accusation by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos was denounced as a lie by members of Spain's former conservative government, who demanded Moratinos' resignation and called on Chavez to stop repeating similar claims.

Chavez's visit -- intended to patch up relations damaged by the April 2002 coup when rebel generals imprisoned him for two days -- ended up exposing bitter political divisions in Spain.

"Under the previous government, in an unprecedented move for Spanish diplomacy, the Spanish ambassador (in Caracas) received instructions to support the coup," Moratinos told state television in an interview broadcast late on Monday.

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[NNN0LHI]

1. Does this mean Spain's Aznar was helping out Bush with the attempted coup?

He should be imprisoned if so. Just to make an example of the prick if nothing else.

Don

[bemildred]

2. Prolly means he was instructed to recognize Carmona's gov't "promptly".

There was the business with the tanks for Colombia too, but I don't
expect you can throw the little weasel in jail, much as one might
enjoy the prospect.

[Swamp Rat]

3. Isn't Carmona in Colombia?

I remember reading right after the coup flopped he escaped via the Colombian embassy.

Anybody hear about Otto Reich lately?

[bemildred]

4. Carmona is "living in exile" in Colombia.

Reich seems to be a political pundit now:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/10171728.htm?1c

[Swamp Rat]

5. Requires registration, so I'll take your word for it.

I know enough about Reich to NOT want to read his punditry... though it helps to keep tabs on these guys. Thanks.

[veggiemama]

7. Use http://bugmenot.com/

when you don't want to register.

[daleo]

6. "support the coup"

It sums up the Coalition of the Willing.