News from the Washington files

usinfo.state.gov 10 January 2003

QUESTION: Can you bring us up to date on Venezuela, the situation both with negotiations and also the situation as to availability of the --the oil issue?

MR. BOUCHER: I think with regard to discussions and negotiations, I'd just say that we've been consistently supporting efforts to reach a peaceful, democratic, constitutional, electoral solution to the ongoing political crisis. We believe that the national dialogue led bythe Organization of American States is Venezuela's best opportunity to move beyond the current impasse. Together with Brazil and a number of countries in the region, we're actively engaged through the Organization of American States to buttress support for the Secretary General and for his efforts to facilitate dialogue between the government of Venezuela and the opposition.

So those efforts continue on the ground with our ambassador. They consider -- continue in other capitals of South America, Latin America, where we're talking to other governments. And they continuein terms of the Secretary's contacts or the Secretary General of theUnited Nations and with members of the Organization of AmericanStates.

QUESTION: Anything specific on oil?

MR. BOUCHER: On oil, no, nothing new today. Nothing new or specific today.

QUESTION: I have a few questions on Mexico. I have several topics today.

QUESTION: Can we do a few more on Venezuela?

MR. BOUCHER: Let's finish up with Venezuela, then.

QUESTION: It's on Venezuela, too.

MR. BOUCHER: Oh, it's Mexico/Venezuela?

QUESTION: Yeah, sorry.

MR. BOUCHER: Okay, go ahead.

QUESTION: Please go ahead. I have three different questions.

QUESTION: No, go ahead.

MR. BOUCHER: Go ahead.

QUESTION: I understand that the Mexico and Chile are leading this coalition that the United States is trying to put together and I also understand that Lula does not agree, President Lula does not agree with the formation of this new coalition to promote new elections in Venezuela. Any comments on this?

MR. BOUCHER: I think you ought to see where do we come out on this. We had been looking at forming some kind of Friends of Venezuela or Friends of the Secretary General of the OAS group to support his efforts, to bring together a number of countries and strengthen the efforts of the Secretary General of the OAS in Caracas.

We don't have a particular set of countries in mind at this point. We have been talking to the Mexican Government. We've been talking to the Brazilians. We've been talking to others in the hemisphere and especially to Secretary General Gaviria, Secretary General Annan of the United Nations as well, about how an international grouping like this could buttress the efforts of the Secretary General of the OAS.

QUESTION: Does this constitute an expanded role for the US?

MR. BOUCHER: It constitutes another mechanism to support the efforts of the OAS Secretary General. As you know, we've been very active in supporting those efforts. We've been in direct contact with the parties down there. The Secretary himself has talked with Secretary General Gaviria, I think at least once, if not more often. We've had OAS meetings on the subject where the United States played an active role. Our ambassador in Venezuela has been very active. So I would say it's another one of the many active efforts by the United States to support a political solution in a effort led by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States.

QUESTION: Specifically, what would you like for these countries to do?

MR. BOUCHER: Well, as I said, this grouping would really try to strengthen the efforts in Caracas and strengthen the support of the Secretary General on the ground in terms of the contacts with both sides, in terms of the kind of positions that can be developed and considered and put forward. I think let's try to see if this forms, if this comes together, before I try to explain exactly in any more detail what it will do.

QUESTION: If this has been asked already, I apologize, but when and why did you guys change your mind?

MR. BOUCHER: I think we did discuss here before the issue of a friends group, and at that time we rejected the idea. It was, I think, to some extent a different idea. We felt that the effort and if -- the previous one. If you look back at what I had said at the time, I think I did put some emphasis on the fact that we need to support the efforts of the Secretary General of the OAS. And so the issue here is how can we best support the Secretary General of the OAS and the OAS-led effort. And as the ideas come back again, in terms of formation of a group in direct support of those efforts, it's an idea that we found more useful and supported.

QUESTION: Your understanding of the previous proposal, then, was that it would be a completely separate operation?

MR. BOUCHER: I think at that time intended to be an alternate.

QUESTION: And that was a proposal that was made by Chavez himself?

MR. BOUCHER: I don't remember exactly who it was. It came out around the time of the Brazilian inauguration.

QUESTION: What do you think of the fact of the general strike, which is having ruinous consequences for the Venezuelan economy? Is it time to back off?

MR. BOUCHER: I don't think we can tell one side or the other what their tactics should be, other than to say they should be peaceful, other than to say they both need to work closely with the Secretary General of the OAS, and to make clear that we do understand that the cost of the Venezuelan people and the hardship and difficulties to them has been great and that both sides should do what's in the interest of the Venezuelan people, which is to work with the OAS and to come to a negotiated solution. I'd remind you that we've also made clear the government has a particularly -- a particular responsibility for maintaining peace and avoiding violence.

Ma'am.

QUESTION: Venezuela, also. The United States has been working very much with several countries to resolve this matter peacefully. It seems that there's not solution on behalf of -- alternative solutions for Chavez. Is this becoming, strategically speaking, a problem for the United States now that you are facing the situation with Iraq and North Korea?

MR. BOUCHER: I would say that the evidence indicates that we're able to handle these situations at the same time. In fact, not only to handle the crises and the difficulties in the world, but also to proceed on broader agendas like free trade and democracy and fighting AIDS and reaching water agreements with Mexico. So no, it's not a strategic complication in that sense. It is a matter of considerable emphasis now for the United States and for the Secretary of State to follow this situation in Venezuela. Obviously, the turmoil down there does affect our interests. The effect on the oil markets, the effect on the region is great, and the fundamentals of the region, the Democracy Charter and supporting democracy in the region, is very important to us. So it is a si tuation where we do think that all the countries of the region have a very strong interest, strategic interest, in making sure that there is a democratic outcome.

QUESTION: Phil, if I may, please, I have two more questions.

(Laughter.)

QUESTION: I mean Richard. Sorry.

MR. BOUCHER: No, these are for Phil.

(Laughter.)