17/03/2010

Venezuelan Ambassador writes to UK foreign editors over inaccurate claims over ETA

The Venezuelan Ambassador to London, Samuel Moncada, has written to the foreign editors of the The Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Financial Times this week following inaccurate claims of alleged links between Venezuela and ETA.

In his letter Ambassador Moncada affirmed that ‘the governments of Spain and Venezuela have a long held agreement which dates back to 1989 by which ETA members who renounce terrorism would be allowed to rebuild their lives in Venezuela.’

The inaccurate claims followed remarks by a Spanish judge, Eloy Velasco. The letter continues that “following the judge’s claims, both governments reiterated their positive and full cooperation on this matter” and that this statement is considered “a major step forward in the good relations between Spain and Venezuela.”

The Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Financial Times had published articles on the initial claims by the judge but had failed to update their coverage with the news on the agreement between Venezuela and Spain.

 Press Unit of the Venezuelan Embassy in London

 16 March 2010