May 26, 2005
Chávez: Venezuela not seeking conflict with U.S.

(Reuters) - "Venezuela is ready to discuss its differences with the United States, President Hugo Chávez said (...)

'OK, we have differences, but let's talk about them (...) We don't want major conflicts with anyone, not even the United States,' he told a meeting of local businessmen.

The latest case to strain U.S.-Venezuelan ties involves Luis Posada Carriles, a former CIA operative and anti-communist militant whom Chávez wants extradited to Venezuela to face trial for the 1976 plane bombing that killed 73 people (...) Posada has denied involvement in the Cuban airline bombing. He is due to appear before a U.S. immigration court in June (...)

Chávez said he held a cordial meeting with a delegation of U.S. congressional lawmakers, including Indiana Republican Rep. Dan Burton.

'Burton himself said to me, 'There's no reason why we can't talk,' said Chávez, who added he wanted 'normal, respectful' relations with the United States (...)".