March 10, 2005
Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs rejects simplistic ideas about Venezuela

(El Universal) - "Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ignacio Walker, asked the U.S. to 'avoid having simplistic ideas about Venezuela' and that 'trying to isolate and punish President Chávez will not work', according to AFP.

Minister Walker was at a conference of Inter American Dialogue in Washington and stated 'I am under the impression that Washington wishes to isolate and separate the Venezuelan President. I am sure that this attitude will not give any results'.

He also criticized the rhetoric, shallow and simplistic opinions that do not consider the true complexity of the Venezuelan process' (...)

'Our bilateral relations with the Venezuelan government have considerably improved after the referendum last August where President Chávez was ratified by the Venezuelan people', he said".