February 17, 2006
US Department of State delegates meet with AN President

(El Universal) - 'A delegation of the US Department of State met with National Assembly (AN) chair Nicolás Maduro, during a session regarded as 'positive and productive' by US Ambassador William Brownfield.

'We discussed both agreements and differences. We expect it to be the first of many meetings to improve dialogue between the National Assembly and my government, particularly between the US Congress and the Venezuelan National Assembly,' Brownfield commented.

Concerning the remarks made by Department of State Secretary Condoleezza Rice on Venezuela , the diplomat answered that they 'speak for themselves and expressed an opinion,' as the Venezuelan Government did it.

Rice asked the global community to create a 'united front' to face Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, and labeled him 'a challenge for democracy and a threat' for the hemisphere".