September 12, 2008

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE GREGORY W. MEEKS EXPRESSES EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE EXPULSION OF U.S. DIPLOMATS BY BOLIVIA AND VENEZULA
U.S. Ambassadors to both countries declared persona non grata and expelled

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6) expressed his disappointment in the expulsion of the United States Diplomats to the countries of Bolivia and Venezuela.  President Evo Morales of Bolivia and President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela have declared the American ambassadors to both nations persona non grata and gave both 72 hours to leave their countries. The U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, Philip S. Goldberg and the U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Patrick Duddy, were expelled following a heightening diplomatic tensions.

“I am deeply disappointed with the decisions of President Morales and President Chavez to declare Ambassadors Goldberg and Duddy persona non grata and expel them from both Bolivia and Venezuela,” said Congressman Meeks.  “When diplomatic ties are severed, all parties are hurt, and ultimately progress made on a range of mutually beneficial and critically important issues is stalled.  Those of us in the United States who have tried to engage both Bolivia and Venezuela in a positive, constructive manner, believe that these actions place us in a difficult and untenable position,” added the Congressman.

The expulsion order signals a low point between Bolivia and the United States.  The United States is the largest single country provider of development assistance to Bolivia, is Bolivia’s largest export market, and is the major provider of counternarcotics assistance.  “I’ve worked closely with U.S. Ambassadors Goldberg and Duddy, as well as Bolivian Ambassador to the United States, Gustavo Guzman and Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States, Bernardo Álvarez.  I believe that they have all served the United States, Bolivia and Venezuela well in a very difficult diplomatic environment, which makes the latest actions even more disconcerting.  I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Administration to determine how best to address the current situation,” said Congressman Meeks.

U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks represents New York’s 6th Congressional District.  He is a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where he serves on the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment; the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight; and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.  He was elected to the Congress in 1998.

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