Venezuela's Chavez Says His Government Could Ask for Robertson's Extradition

gldstwmn · #1 08-29-2005, 11:25 PM

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBDB8U3YCE.html

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that his government may ask the United States to extradite U.S. religious broadcaster Pat Robertson to Venezuela for suggesting American agents should kill him.
Speaking to foreign delegations attending a meeting of the Organization of American States in Caracas, Chavez said Venezuela would "exercise legal action in the United States" against Robertson.

Robertson's comments last week have increased already tense relations between Caracas and Washington. He called for Chavez's assassination on his TV show "The 700 Club," saying the United States should "take him out" because the Venezuelan leader poses a danger to the region.

Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America, later issued an apology.

"Calling for the assassination of a head of state is a terrorist act," said Chavez, an outspoken critic of U.S. President George W. Bush who has forged strong relations with communist-led Cuba.

"We could even request his extradition," he added.

Chavez told OAS delegates that Venezuela would consider bringing the issue to United Nations if the U.S. government failed to cooperate.

The Bush administration also swiftly distanced itself from Robertson's comments Tuesday. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called the remarks "inappropriate."

Venezuela has demanded a stronger condemnation of Robertson's remarks.

"We could offer him free psychiatric treatment ... but he could be a lost case" Chavez said sarcastically of Robertson and controversial statements the conservative commentator has made in the past.

Last year, Robertson said Bush told him before the Iraq invasion, "We're not going to have any casualties," but that "the Lord told me it was going to be (a) a disaster and (b) messy." The White House issued denials.

Earlier Sunday, Rev. Jesse Jackson offered support for Chavez, saying the call for his assassination was a criminal act.

The U.S. civil rights leader, who is on a four-day visit to Venezuela, called Robertson's statements "immoral" and "illegal." He urged U.S. authorities to take action, and said the U.S. government must choose "diplomacy over any threats of sabotage or isolation or assassination."

strandinthewind · #2 08-30-2005, 12:29 AM

I am unsure what law has been broken. Robertson, though an ass, was speaking hypothetically and in the context of what the cost of an invasion would be. So, he did not all out call for the immediate assination of this guy - though he discussed it and advocated it in lieu of a war, which was stupid of him. So, his comments, though inappropriate and stupid, would likely be protected under the First Amendment. Note, there may be some law I am unaware of.

I mean people/citizens said many times that SH should be taken out - people have also said they wished W would be assinated. This is sort of the same thing, though the civilian Robertson may have more perceived power.

tynan88 · #3 08-30-2005, 01:25 AM

Yer it might seem silly...but it is a stupid thing to say...

BombaySapphire3 · #4 08-30-2005, 04:56 AM

I think Robertson should stay here and continue to help dig the heinous far religious right into the hell hole that they belong in.

irishgrl · #5 08-30-2005, 06:25 AM

Chavez is really milking Robertson's comment for all its worth..I think he would have been smarter to have laughed it off, but what did he expect when he's the one who made the original accusation? Robertson was just stupid enough to take the bait......too bad. I am starting to wonder if Chavez isnt a media hound...

Quote:

I mean people/citizens said many times that SH should be taken out - people have also said they wished W would be assinated.

NO! the fiends!
Isnt it true that in the south there is a saying "he needed killing"?

DavidMn · #6 08-30-2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

I think Robertson should stay here and continue to help dig the heinous far religious right into the hell hole that they belong in.

AMen to that.

DavidMn · #7 08-30-2005, 10:41 AM

I wonder what they'd do with him down there. I'm guessing that if he got sent to prison and met the Venezualan version of Bubba, that wouldnt be too good for Mr. Robertson.