Chavez Rejects Obama's New US Ambassador

[another saigon]

Published on Monday, August 9, 2010 by Al Jazeera

http://www.commondreams.org/print/59193


by Al Jazeera

Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, has said he will not allow the newly-nominated US envoy to take up his post in Caracas, following comments over Venezuela's alleged links with Colombian rebels.

"Palmer disqualified himself by breaking all the rules of diplomacy. He can't come here as ambassador" -- Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan president.

He said Barack Obama, the US president, should "look for another candidate" to replace Larry Palmer, whose nomination as ambassador to Venezuela is pending confirmation by the senate.

"How can you think I'd accept this gentleman coming here?" Chavez said on Sunday in his weekly "Alo Presidente" radio and television show. "You'd best withdraw him, Obama. Don't insist, I'm asking you."

Palmer last month voiced concern about Cuba's growing influence in the Venezuelan military, which, according to him was "considerably low" in morale and professionalism.

In written answers during a confirmation hearing, Palmer also said there were "clear ties" between leftist Colombian rebels and Chavez's government.

On Thursday the Venezuelan foreign ministry protested Palmer's statements as "interference and interventionism" and asked the United States for an explanation before he was confirmed in his post.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Well if nothing else

it should teach Palmer to keep his big mouth shut.

[Peace Patriot]

2. This nomination was clearly intended as an insult. The only question is why.

You simply don't DO this--appoint an ambassador who starts bad-mouthing the country he has been appointed to before he even gets there. I mean, you don't do it if you are civilized country. This is Bush Junta-like behavior.

Is it just part of the overall U.S. pysops/disinformation campaign against the Chavez government (and, by implication, though never stated, against the people who elected him), aimed at us, so that we don't get wind of, oh, universal free medical in Venezuela, free college education for the poor, use of oil profits to benefit the poor, the power of grass roots organizing or the democratic principle of transparent vote counting? Or is it merely designed to influence Venezuelan voters in the upcoming legislative elections, by forcing Chavez to refuse a very nasty appointment, thus putting the onus on Chavez for bad relations with the U.S. and giving the rightwing in Venezuela another "talking point" (along with millions in cash via the USAID)?

Or is it something even worse--connected to this Colombian accusation that the Chavez government is "harboring" FARC guerrillas--the very excuse that was used in March 2008, for a U.S./Colombian bombing/raid on Ecuador's territory without Ecuador's permission (the rehearsal for Part One of a war plan against Venezuela?). Is the next thing we are going to hear that the U.S./Colombia has dropped ten 500 lb U.S. "smart bombs" on Venezuelan territory "in pursuit of the FARC," and that Oil War II-South America has finally commenced?

I don't know. Could just be a blip in the U.S. political/economic war against the people of Venezuela; could be yet another evidence of a U.S. war plan. I tend to think that it is the latter, considering all the evidence. But one thing I would not do is automatically dismiss it as a mere diplomatic flap. This insult was deliberate. What was its purpose?

[another saigon]

5. you answered the question Peace Patriot

"This is Bush Junta-like behavior". Sadly the Junta continues and they really are not trying too hard to hide it.

[malaise]

6. Ding ding

We have a winner. Apparently someone forgot the meaning of Diplomat.

[Catherina]

3. Good for Chavez n/t

[Deep13]

4. The ambassador is chosen by the represented country, ...

...not the host country. The most Venezuala can do is ask the State Dept. to recall the ambassador.