Shapiro admits Venezuelan oil imports  to USA have reached pre-stoppage levels

<a href=www.vheadline.com<Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, April 03, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Oil imports to the USA have reached the same levels as last year, US Ambassador Charles Shapiro has told reporters.  Speaking at a forum on Venezuela's Electoral Power and democracy, US Ambassador Charles Shapiro has confirmed that his government does not see eye to eye with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias on the Anglo-American war on Iraq.

Shapiro says Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) deputies have the right to criticize the war because in Venezuela people are free to express any opinion. 

As for a statement by the Iraqi Ambassador that all Venezuelans reject the war, Shapiro begs to differ ... " it doesn't reflect every Venezuelan's opinion." 

Referring to home events, the Ambassador is of the opinion that a new National Electoral College (CNE) board would help solve the problem of governance in Venezuela