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Venezuela slams journalists
Associated Press
Published February 25, 2005
CARACAS - Venezuela's information minister lashed out at the foreign press Thursday, accusing reporters of being part of a U.S. campaign aimed at discrediting the government of President Hugo Chavez.
Andres Izarra has accused the Bush administration of leading a smear campaign against Chavez's administration by using U.S. newspapers to publish "lies" regarding the "revolutionary" process led by the left-leaning president.
"Enough lies! We are going to change strategy, we are going to be a bit more aggressive in denouncing the media offensive against Venezuela," Izarra said.
Izarra mentioned several journalists he suggested were receiving funds from the U.S. government. Among them was Philip Gunson, a British freelance reporter who writes for the St. Petersburg Times, the Miami Herald and the Economist magazine. Izarra said the government had no evidence to support the allegations.
Relations with the United States have deteriorated in the past months because of Washington's criticism that the Venezuelan leader is leading his country down a dangerous antidemocratic path.
Chavez has accused American officials of working to undermine his government as well as plotting his assassination.
Washington has denied the charges.
[Last modified February 25, 2005, 00:53:06]
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