US threatens to limit movement of Venezuelan envoy

Apr 10, 2006, 20:18 GMT

Washington - The United States warned Monday it would limit the movement of Venezuela's ambassador if steps are not taken to protect the US envoy to the country, whose convoy was pelted with eggs and tomatoes in Caracas.

'If we see an incident like this again, I think that there are going to be serious diplomatic consequences between our two countries,' US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. 'And I think that the Venezuelan ambassador might find his ability to move around the United States severely restricted.'

Protestors assaulted US ambassador William Brownfield's vehicle with food Friday after the diplomat delivered baseball equipment to children in a poor Caracas neighbourhood.

McCormack called the incident 'outrageous' and a 'thuggish attempt to intimidate our ambassador' and blamed Venezuelan officials for not ensuring Brownfield's safety.

'This is not just some random act where a group of people got together,' McCormack said. 'This was organized. The government was aware of it. So certainly there was some government involvement in this.'

McCormack did not specify how the US government would limit the travel of Venezuelan ambassador Bernardo Alvarez Herrera, but said it would be more strict than keeping him within 24 kilometres of Washington.

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez on Sunday threatened to expel Brownfield, accusing him of provoking the Venezuelan public. The diplomatic spat has threatened to worsen already difficult relations between the two countries. The two governments traded off expelling a pair of diplomats in February.

Chavez said Brownfield failed to alert authorities of his travelling in an attempt to provoke a backlash against his visit. McCormack said appropriate steps were taken, and that US officials have raised the issue with Venezuela after previous attacks on Brownfield.

'They knew that he was there, and it's their responsibility to see that this doesn't happen again,' McCormack said.