U.S. envoy says bags packed after Chavez threat - CNN.com
Story Highlights• Hugo Chavez warns U.S. ambassador of "meddling" in Venezuela's affairs
• Envoy tells radio station U.S. telecom investors need fair price in nationalization
• Chavez warns ambassador he may become "persona non grata" in Venezuela
• William Brownfield says he'll focus on improving relations but his bags are packed
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Facing a threat of possible expulsion from Venezuela, U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield said Friday he will concentrate on trying to improve relations, though he said his bags are packed just in case.
President Hugo Chavez warned Thursday that he could expel Brownfield if he keeps "meddling in Venezuela's affairs," saying the diplomat went too far by suggesting investors should receive fair compensation for their stakes in companies that Venezuela plans to nationalize.
"My bags are always packed and ready," Brownfield told reporters, but he added that U.S. diplomats will aim to concentrate more on bilaterial issues "and a little less on our bags and the possibility of our departure."
"I hope we can not only maintain but improve our relationship," Brownfield said during a visit to the western city of Maracaibo.
The United States remains the top buyer of Venezuelan oil despite deep tensions. American companies with shares in the telephone and electrical sectors stand to be affected by Chavez's nationalization drive.
Asked about U.S. policy, Brownfield reiterated that governments have a "sovereign right" to nationalize companies but that they are bound by international obligations to do so "in a transparent and legal way and to offer fair and quick compensation."
Similar remarks by Brownfield triggered Chavez's threat a day earlier. Addressing Brownfield in a speech, Chavez said he could be declared "persona non grata" and have to leave if he keeps "meddling in Venezuela's affairs."
The government plans to nationalize the telecommunications company CA Nacional de Telefonos, or CANTV -- whose largest minority shareholder is New York-based Verizon Communications Inc. -- and Electricidad de Caracas, owned by Arlington, Virginia-based AES Corp.
"Our hope is that any nationalization be a negotiated process that eventually represents the interests of all parties involved," Brownfield said.
Chavez has said he wants an immediate state takeover of CANTV and will not pay shareholders the international market value. He has said the price paid for the telephone company would take into account debts to workers, pensions and other obligations to the state.
U.S. officials have accused Chavez of becoming increasingly authoritarian and of being a destabilizing force. The Venezuelan leader repeatedly has accused Washington of plotted against him.
Chavez has threatened to expel Brownfield before. In April, he accused Brownfield of provoking a confrontation by visiting a poor pro-government area where protesters beat on the ambassador's car, hurled eggs and chased his convoy.
A career diplomat from Texas with a penchant for understatement that at times verges on sarcasm, Brownfield has drawn Chavez's anger not only by raising Washington's concerns but also by handing out donations to youth baseball leagues and charities in pro-Chavez slums.
Brownfield said Friday that he hopes to continue a process of building dialogue because "I think normalizing the bilateral relation a little bit is just as much in Venezuela's interest as it is for the United States."
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