-Caveat Lector- Many thanks to Al Giordano at http://www.narconews.com/ for these references.
- jt -- "Before Uribe was even declared the winner, U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson went to a hotel where he was holed up with campaign workers to congratulate him." - from Associated Press Monday, 27 May, 2002, 02:59 GMT 03:59 UK Venezuelan coup leader given asylum Pedro Carmona, the Venezuelan businessman who briefly replaced President Hugo Chavez during a failed coup last month, has been granted political asylum by the Colombian Government. Mr Carmona fled to the Colombian ambassador's residence in Caracas last week after a court ordered him to be transferred to prison. He had been under house arrest, accused of rebellion and usurping the presidency. Mr Carmona denies the charges, saying he was asked by the Venezuelan military to form a transitional government. He took power for just 48 hours after violent anti-government protests resulted in 17 deaths. News that he had been granted political asylum came in a short statement from the Colombian foreign ministry, released on the same night as right-winger Alvaro Uribe was elected Colombian president. It did not say when he would be flown from Venezuela to Colombia. Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto said the decision was taken "after careful consideration" and "in accordance with the norms of international law". Correspondents say the decision by Colombia threatens to strain relations between the two South American neighbours. Supporters celebrate Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Luis Alfonso Davila, has criticised the decision. He said the fugitive businessman was not facing death or being politically persecuted, but was under investigation for a criminal charge. Mr Davila added that the Venezuelan Government had yet to decide whether to grant safe conduct for Mr Carmona to leave the country. "We will make known in due time the decision of the Venezuelan Government," he said. This appeared to contradict earlier comments made by Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, who said Venezuela would not object if Colombia granted Carmona asylum. "Venezuela respects international treaties. We are obliged to, under the asylum laws," Mr Rangel said last Friday. A group of Mr Carmona's supporters celebrated the decision outside the Colombian ambassador's residence in Caracas, singing the national anthem and waving Venezuela's red, blue and yellow flag. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
