USA says Venezuela won't join peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan and Iraq

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuelas's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

US State Department for Latin American Affairs official, Ricardo Pardo Maurer has announced that it is highly possible that Chilean and Argentinean military will join peace-keeping activities in Afghanistan, while Nicaraguan and El Salvador soldiers will be doing the same in Iraq. 

Pardo Maurer has made it clear that of the Latin American armies ready to take part in US peace-keeping missions Venezuela is the exception.  "There is a world scarcity of military officers for peace-keeping missions ... Latin America is undertaking a very effective job in prevention and working closely with Washington to make sure that Islamic terrorism does not become a problem." 

Elaborating on the Venezuelan problem, Pardo Maurer comments that President Chavez Frias is attempting to subvert the Venezuelan military bribing some officers to support his government ... "that is one of the most disturbing aspects I have seen ... the military as an institution has been able to resist but Chavez Frias is seeking officers that accept bribes." 

On a side note, the US Armed Forces (USAF) press office has welcomed the offer of Chile, Argentina, El Salvador and Nicaragua to take part in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as an "excellent sign from Latin America."

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