US State Department persona non grata retaliation was not unexpected

[cal04]

The Venezuelan Embassy in Washington D.C. says that the decision made by the State Department of the United States of America to declare Ms. Jenny Figueredo Frias, Chief of Staff for the ambassador of Venezuela to Washington, a persona non grata was not unexpected.

"The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will comply with this order, understanding that it is the right of the United States to make such a decision, such as it is the right of any country to do so." "Regardless, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela does not accept the justification for the decision as being part of the process of diplomatic reciprocity. On the contrary, we view it as an act of political retaliation."

"The reasons for which a US Naval Attache was asked to leave Venezuela were clear and legitimately based on the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, being that the US embassy official in question was engaging in acts of espionage." "The situation with Ms. Figueredo is simply not comparable. As a Minister Counselor, Ms. Figueredo carried out her diplomatic functions impeccably and in full accordance with the law, the very reason the US State Department was unable to articulate any misgivings or detail any faults with her duties and actions within the United States."

"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its friendship, solidarity and cooperation with the people of the United States of America and reiterates its commitment to not alter the good relations between the people of the two countries regardless of the retaliatory and political decision taken by the US State Department." "We take this opportunity to again request that our sovereignty and our rights as a free, independent and democratic country be respected."

http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=48163

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Oh, Venezuela is getting the Nicaragua treatment

During the Sandinista years, Reagan tossed out five Nicaraguan diplomats in a fit of pique.

I remember reading how a group of Cuban exiles met them at the Miami airport, taunting them . I wonder if this diplomat will face a similar send off.

[Vidar]

2. This needs to start happening world-wide, until we cease being

a terrorist nation,