Diplomats from the US and Venezuela met in Caracas on Friday, hoping to mend diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have reached their most tense levels ever.

 

US Ambassador William Brownfield said that Venezuela's National Assembly President Nicolas Maduro and a team from the Western Hemisphere Department of the US State Department had met for a "very fruitful" talk, both on issues where Washington and Caracas agreed, and those on which they differed.

 

"We hope it will be the first of many meetings between the assembly and my government," Brownfield said.

 

The meeting took place after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had told reporters that the US sees Venezuela as one of its greatest problems and that Venezuela's strengthening relationship with Cuba was "dangerous for hemispherical stability." Rice also called for the forming of an international front to resist Venezuela's influence.

 

On Thursday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told Venezuelan radio and television that the accusations were "insane" and described US foreign policy as "incoherent" and "aggressive," adding that he would resist "imperialist outrages."

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2006)