Tuesday, July 11, 2006

International Relations: Dutch minister gives assurances to Venezuela

Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot, has assured Venezuela that the Netherlands Antilles will not serve as a springboard for possible United States military action. The minister made the statement during a visit to the Venezuelan capital Caracas, where he held talks with his counterpart Ali Rodriguez.

The minister assured Venezuela that US aircraft carriers taking part in joint military exercises with the Dutch navy will only participate in exercises in the northern islands of the Netherlands Antilles, far from the Venezuelan coast.