Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) general secretary Karl Samuda says the country would continue to promote cordial relations with the people of oil-rich South American nation, Venezuela, under a JLP government.

This is despite castigating Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez for his tirade against United States President George W. Bush last year.

Commenting on the JLP's foreign affairs policies at a Gleaner Editors' Forum on Wednesday at the company's North Street offices in central Kingston, Mr. Samuda made it clear, however, that his party's views on Mr. Chávez's public statements about the United States had not changed.

"We respect the people of Venezuela, we do not support the utterances of Hugo Chávez," he insisted, stressing that "we have no intention of severing our relationship with Venezuela".

In hiscontribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament last year, Mr. Samuda came out strongly against the Venezuelan President for calling the U.S. President a terrorist, assassin, mad man and a drunkard. He had earlier referred to Mr. Bush as the Devil.

Jeopardise interests

Mr. Samuda urged the PNP Government at that time not to support Venezuela's bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, as this would jeopardise the country's interests with the United States.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com