Chile defends freedom of expression in Venezuela TV row
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| Published on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 |
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HELSINKI, Finland (AFP): Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday defended the principle of freedom of expression after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez shut down an anti-government television station.
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| Chilean President Michelle Bachelet |
"For Chile, freedom of expression is the golden rule, given our political history," Bachelet told reporters in Finland when she was asked how she viewed the situation in Venezuela.
Venezuela's oldest television station, Radio Caracas Television network, went off the air on Sunday after the Chavez government refused to renew its license.
Police in Caracas on Monday used rubber bullets and tear gas on demonstrators protesting against the decision for the fifth day in a row.
Speaking after a meeting with Finnish President Tarja Halonen in Helsinki, Bachelet said: "Our role as Chileans is to show that the Chilean way is a possible way: to grow, with social justice and a democratic government."
Chile and Venezuela had a diplomatic spat on the same issue in April following Caracas' decision to shut down RCTV. At the time, Chavez had called Chilean senators "fascists" for criticising his decision.
The two leaders have since resolved the dispute.
Halonen meanwhile said Finland was "following developments in Cuba and in Venezuela with a lot of interest and sometimes with concern."
"Regarding Cuba, we are a little hopeful. As for Venezuela, we are following the situation with concern," she added, urging the international community to be "both firm and encouraging."
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