Opposition sees coded message in US Caracas Embassy closure

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, March 21, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The USA has closed its Embassy in Caracas, alleging security reasons in the wake of the War on Iraq. The State Department has listed its Embassies in Venezuela and Argentina as potential targets for terrorists.

Both countries have large Arab communities … several years ago, a Jewish synagogue in Buenos Aires was bombed.

The USA has said that Arab business sectors in the Venezuelan cities in Isla de Margarita and North Zulia are involved in money laundering and fund-raising for extreme Islamic groups, such as Hamas.

US Ambassador Charles Shapiro has been quick to point out that the measure to close the Embassy until further notice is not an answer to any specific threat on the Embassy but because of possible violent demonstrations against the war.

PROVEA human rights groups has been the first civil sector group to voice criticism of the war. Two weeks ago, there was a demonstration against the war but only a few pro-government groups attended.

Opposition groups that are against the war decided not to cross Venezuela’s deep political divide to unite against the war.

There is a sense that most opposition groups are accepting the US invasion of Iraq in the hope that President Chavez Frias, who they compare to Sadaam Hussein, will be the next US target.

The US decision to close its Embassy in Caracas is seen as sign of the Bush administration’s intention to classify Venezuela as a non-friendly State.

The State Department has also closed its Embassies in Kazajstan, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Macedonia, South Africa and Norway.