Lula stays aloof from Venezuela media controversy

May 29, 2007, 21:31 GMT

Brasilia - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva refused to comment Tuesday on the refusal by the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to renew the broadcasting licence of private Radio Caracas Television (RCTV).

But one of Lula's main allies - Senator and former president Jose Sarney - criticized Chavez in the Brazilian Senate.

'There cannot be a democracy in which there are no free institutions, strong institutions, a free, strong and open Congress, a free and unrestricted press. From the moment that the government has the power to hush any kind of opposition, for any reason, from that moment I go on to fear for the concept of democracy in that country,' Sarney said.

Lula told reporters in Brasilia that the decision adopted by the Chavez government 'is a problem to do with Venezuela's legislation.'

The Brazilian president declined to comment further on the matter, and indicated that he would likewise 'not want them (Venezuelans) to express an opinion' on the things that his own government does in Brazil.

RCTV was shut down overnight Monday and replaced by a new, government-controlled channel, Televisora Venezolana Social (Teves), which began broadcasting almost immediately.

Left-wing populist Chavez justified his government's decision not to renew RCTV's licence, noting that the popular TV station supported the short-lived coup that briefly removed him from power in 2002.