AP: Venezuela Blasts U.S. Senate's Criticism [View All]

Venezuela Blasts U.S. Senate's Criticism

The Associated Press
Friday, December 22, 2006; 10:59 PM

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela took issue Friday with a U.S. Senate report criticizing
its stance toward nongovernment organizations, saying such groups are treated fairly and
that Washington should mind its own business.

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The report, sought by the Republican committee chairman, Sen. Richard Lugar, said "pending
legislation by the Venezuelan National Assembly to regulate and control the ability and
work of NGOs is worrisome."

The report also said that under President Hugo Chavez, who was re-elected to a six-year
term Dec. 3, "Venezuela has demonstrated a blatant disregard for independent civil society
actors (and) any form of political dissent."

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As initially proposed several months ago, the reforms would require NGOs to register with
the government and declare their funding sources.

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