News from the Washington file
QUESTION: Two questions. Has the United States seen the nearest tragedy that President Lula is doing with Venezuela -- helping in the oil industry. He's going to start in any way to solve the crisis in Venezuela. Do you have any opposition to Brazil doing things like that with his friend Hugo Chavez?
MR. BOUCHER: I am not quite sure what you are referring to as "things like that." I think we, and others, share an interest in seeing a peaceful resolution of events in Venezuela. We have continued to be in touch with other governments about it, about the situation in Venezuela. We have continued to support the efforts of the Secretary General of the OAS.
QUESTION: What I am talking about is Brazil sending oil to Venezuela.
MR. BOUCHER: That was last week, right?
QUESTION: Yeah, you have any --
MR. BOUCHER: No, I do not have any particular comment on that.
QUESTION: On Mexico and Venezuela. Secretary for Foreign Relations of Mexico Jorge Castaneda expressed yesterday that his government, the Government of Mexico would suggest that Venezuelan Government would respect more the Division of Institutional Democratic Powers. What's the take of the US Government in relation to this statement?
MR. BOUCHER: I think you will see elements of that expressed in the Organization of American States statement. On the subject of Venezuela, we are looking for a peaceful, democratic solution that respects the democratic institutions of Venezuela.
One of the people the Secretary has been talking to about the situation in Venezuela is Foreign Secretary Castaneda. They spoke again today about the situation down there.
Okay, Joel?