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US condemns Venezuelan TV closure | US condemns Venezuelan TV closure |
(about 7 hours later) | |
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has criticised President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela for refusing to renew the licence of an opposition TV channel. | US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has criticised President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela for refusing to renew the licence of an opposition TV channel. |
Ms Rice said the closure of Radio Caracas TV (RCTV) was "undemocratic" and called for the Organization of American States (OAS) to investigate. | |
Venezuela's foreign minister accused the US of meddling in its affairs. | Venezuela's foreign minister accused the US of meddling in its affairs. |
Demonstrations against and in favour of the move have occurred almost daily in Venezuela since RCTV closed on 27 May. | Demonstrations against and in favour of the move have occurred almost daily in Venezuela since RCTV closed on 27 May. |
Disagreeing with your government is not unpatriotic and most certainly should not be a crime in any country Condoleezza Rice | Disagreeing with your government is not unpatriotic and most certainly should not be a crime in any country Condoleezza Rice |
The showdown between the US and Venezuela came at the OAS meeting in Panama, which was supposed to focus on environment and development issues. | |
"Freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of conscience are not a thorn in the side of government," Ms Rice told OAS officials. | |
"Disagreeing with your government is not unpatriotic and most certainly should not be a crime in any country, especially a democracy," she said. | "Disagreeing with your government is not unpatriotic and most certainly should not be a crime in any country, especially a democracy," she said. |
'Meddling and hypocrisy' | |
In an angry reply, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro accused Ms Rice of "unacceptable intervention" in his nation's affairs. | In an angry reply, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro accused Ms Rice of "unacceptable intervention" in his nation's affairs. |
He also accused the US of hypocrisy, comparing the US imprisonment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay to the activities of Nazi Germany. | He also accused the US of hypocrisy, comparing the US imprisonment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay to the activities of Nazi Germany. |
Mr Chavez has said private stations such as RCTV were involved in a coup that nearly toppled him five years ago and that they have since tried to bring down his government. | Mr Chavez has said private stations such as RCTV were involved in a coup that nearly toppled him five years ago and that they have since tried to bring down his government. |
His government has provided $4m (£2m) of funding for the launch of a new channel, TVES, which Mr Chavez said would better reflect society. | His government has provided $4m (£2m) of funding for the launch of a new channel, TVES, which Mr Chavez said would better reflect society. |
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