Clinton and Chavez Share Happy Moment

Putting aside their differences for a moment, the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had what appeared to onlookers to be having a friendly chat with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The two world leaders were both in attendance at the inauguration of the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff last Saturday.One Brazilian official described the scene as one of friendliness and cordiality. “They talked and smiled, at least for five minutes. It looked like a social conversation, both were smiling.”This encounter came only three days after the last round in a diplomatic feud between the U.S. and Venezuela. This occurred when the U.S. nullified the visa of the Venezuelan Ambassador in Washington which was itself a response to Chavez’ refusal to accept the U.S. president’s appointment of the ambassador to Caracas.The U.S. ambassador-designate to Venezuela, Larry Palmer, had angered President Chavez by criticizing his government at Palmer’s Senate confirmation hearings held last August. Chavez rejected the appointment and dared the U.S. to break off diplomatic relations if they didn’t like it.The revocation of the visa was an “appropriate, proportional and reciprocal action,” reminding Venezuela that Washington had already warned that there would be “consequences” if Caracas turned down the US ambassador-designate.

Alyssa Anderson

Alyssa Anderson has been involved in the world of business on several levels for many years. She was the CEO of a start-up high-tech company until its purchase by a global on-line e-business. Alyssa helped formulate marketing strategies for several other companies as an independent consultant, and she has advised local government on methods to achieve appropriate fiscal responsibility. Her opinions are well known through her many editorials which have been published throughout her career in a variety of local and national print media. She has been heard on radio discussing current issues affecting the business community and Alyssa hopes to bring her special brand of commonsense coupled with uncanny insight into her editorial responsibilities as the Business Page editor for Left Justified. Contact Alyssa at alyssa(at)leftjustified.com.

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