Venezuela Seeks Evidence of Terror Links

www.grandforks.com Posted on Mon, Mar. 10, 2003 Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela - Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton called on the United States on Monday to provide evidence regarding the existence of alleged terror finance networks in Venezuela.

Last week, the U.S. Southern Command's Gen. James Hill said terrorist organizations, including the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah, were operating in border areas of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay and on Venezuela's Margarita Island.

Hill said operatives were taking advantage of smuggling hotspots and weak institutions to channel funds to international terrorist groups.

"Whoever has evidence of situations like those described must first give them to corresponding authorities," Chaderton told the local Union Radio station.

"That evidence ... could lead to the opening of an investigation. A simple denunciation isn't enough," he added.

Chaderton said President Hugo Chavez's government would cooperate with U.S. authorities to halt any terror-related activities in this South American country of 24 million.

If someone has reasons to think there are terrorist networks in Venezuela, "We would support any initiative to neutralize those types of actions," said Chaderton.

After meeting with Venezuelan authorities Friday, U.S. ambassador to Venezuela Charles Shapiro said Washington was concerned that international terror groups have established bases in all Latin American countries.

Two bombs exploded outside Spanish and Colombian diplomatic missions in Caracas on Feb. 15. The attacks stoked fears that Colombia-style terror had reached neighboring Venezuela.