Guyana: Caribbean should not back Venezuelan UN
bid - US envoy
AP
GEORGETOWN, Guyana
Petroleumworld.com 09 24 06
The
Caribbean should not support Venezuela's bid for
a seat on the U.N. Security Council because the
South American country would hinder the group's
ability to prevent terrorism and control nuclear
proliferation, a U.S. official said yesterday.
Most
of the Caribbean Community, which has 14 United
Nations votes, is expected to back Venezuela for
a two-year non-permanent seat on the Security Council.
Washington wants to keep Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez, a fierce U.S. critic, from winning a high-profile
platform for his views.
The
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, David Robinson, said
voting for Venezuela would be a mistake.
"This
vote matters and is one we should take seriously
with the future in mind and not try to signal symbolic
displeasure with the U.S.," he told The Associated
Press.
The
Caribbean Community has said it will back Chavez
because of his financial support to the region.
Many are also frustrated with the support given
by Guatemala - the other contender for the U.N.
seat - to dismantle a preferential banana trade
program and its border dispute with Belize, a Caricom
member.
Guatemalan
Foreign Minister Gert Rosenthal worried in August
that U.S. support was hurting his country's bid
in places like the Caribbean, where some leaders
had complained about U.S. involvement in the race.
Other Caribbean nations, such as Haiti, remain undecided.
The
issue is expected to be decided Oct. 16 by a secret
vote in the U.N.'s 192-member General Assembly.
Two-thirds of the vote are needed to win.
AP
September 21, 2006
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© 2006 AP. All Rights Reserved.
