House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
News from Congressman Eliot Engel
Representing the Bronx, Westchester, and Rockland Counties
Offices in the Bronx, Mount Vernon and West Nyack
2161 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Contact: Eric Jacobstein or Jason Steinbaum, 202-226-9980
For Release: Friday, September 12, 2008
“I strongly condemn President Chavez’s decision to expel U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Patrick Duddy. Just like the expulsion of Ambassador Goldberg from Bolivia, this provocative action is completely uncalled for and unjustified.
“I believe that now is the time for cooler heads to prevail in both countries and throughout the region. It is important that all of us in the hemisphere work together as partners in promoting social justice and tackling economic inequality. If President Chavez is really serious about helping the poor, then he should stop this nonsense and provocation towards the U.S. and work in partnership with nations throughout the region to tackle real problems head on. We ultimately all want the same thing: economic prosperity and a better future for the poor.
“Rather than succumbing to this distraction, the United States must continue to extend a helping hand to all of the citizens of the Americas through our aid and trade partnerships – even in trying circumstances like those we face in Bolivia and Venezuela.”
Offices in the Bronx, Mount Vernon and West Nyack
2161 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Contact: Eric Jacobstein or Jason Steinbaum, 202-226-9980
For Release: Friday, September 12, 2008
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN ELIOT ENGEL ON RECENT EVENTS IN VENEZUELA AND BOLIVIA
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eliot L. Engel, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, made the following statement regarding Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s announcement that he will expel U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Patrick Duddy. Engel also commented on his concerns about the degradation of U.S. relations with both Venezuela and Bolivia, and the need to move forward on a positive agenda in the hemisphere.“I strongly condemn President Chavez’s decision to expel U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Patrick Duddy. Just like the expulsion of Ambassador Goldberg from Bolivia, this provocative action is completely uncalled for and unjustified.
“I believe that now is the time for cooler heads to prevail in both countries and throughout the region. It is important that all of us in the hemisphere work together as partners in promoting social justice and tackling economic inequality. If President Chavez is really serious about helping the poor, then he should stop this nonsense and provocation towards the U.S. and work in partnership with nations throughout the region to tackle real problems head on. We ultimately all want the same thing: economic prosperity and a better future for the poor.
“Rather than succumbing to this distraction, the United States must continue to extend a helping hand to all of the citizens of the Americas through our aid and trade partnerships – even in trying circumstances like those we face in Bolivia and Venezuela.”
