Shapiro Show: the opposition applauds ... pro-government deputies seek freebie to Washington D.C.

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, May 18, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Comedian Gilberto Gonzalez has told TalCual that his controversial sketch was with the prior permission of  USA Embassy officialsTrue to form, the opposition has applauded the antics of US Ambassador Charles Shapiro and the puppet show at his residence to commemorate International Press Freedom Day. 

Coordinadora Democratica (CD)  media committee has issued a communique, stating that the way to change a President is not by criticizing an Ambassador or silencing an artist but through a recall referendum, which is a constitutional right. 

It criticizes the statement of Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel as "pathetic ... Rangel and national and international opinion know that Chavez Frias doesn't need anyone's help to play the fool ... he has done it in innumerable occasions in Venezuela and abroad ... deserving condemnation." 

The communique calls on people to pay attention to Ambassador Shapiro's words on the lack of press freedom in Venezuela with alleged attacks on more than 200, killing 1 and physically assaulting 80. 

Opposition international analyst, Elsa Cardoso admits she does not agree with the show at the Ambassador's residence but says Vice President Rangel  should have been more diplomatic.

According to the expert, the government's stance is an angry reaction to the Ambassador's defense of Venezuela's print & broadcast media and freedom of expression ... "the Cuban Ambassador has also interfered in Venezuela's internal affairs."

Meanwhile, pro-government National Assembly (AN)  deputies are looking for a freebie to travel to Washington to complain about the incident. 

Podemos president, Ismael Garcia says a commission will travel to lodge a formal complaint at the Organization of American States (OAS) HQ and at the US Senate,  arguing that Ambassador Shapiro must be held responsible for his actions and the US government should clarify its position on the matter. Garcia says the USA is one of Venezuela's principal trading partners and political allies.

Talcual afternoon tabloid has thrown doubt on Ambassador Shapiro's confirmation that he was unaware of the show's content, claiming that Embassy officials vetted the contents of the comedian's act beforehand ... it is normal procedure at any Embassy.

Who's telling the truth:

Comedian Gilberto Gonzalez has assured opposition-led TalCual newspaper that his controversial sketch in which he parodied radio personality Marta Colomina with a dummy of President Hugo Chavez Frias was performed with the customary prior approval of US Embassy officials at US Ambassador Charles Shapiro's official residence.

The US Caracas Embassy press lackeys have, however, hastened to issue a Spanish-language release which backpedals considerably on the comedian's and the opposition media's version of events.  The Embassy claims it did not have prior knowledge of the sketch and does not "censor" what its guests have to say.  In retrospect the Embassy apologists say the sketch was in "bad taste" because of its political content...

You the reader must decide...