| Taken Questions Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC January 31, 2002 Question taken at Daily Press Briefing of January 31 Venezuela: Support for the FARC?Question: There are reports that Venezuela’s Minister of Interior signed documents agreeing to provide oil and gas to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in exchange for the FARC’s agreement not to kidnap anyone in Venezuela. Is there any truth to these reports? If true, would such an agreement suggest that the Government of Venezuela supports terrorism? Answer: We have no information to confirm or deny these reports. According to our law, we have designated the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) to be foreign terrorist organizations. We have been very clear in our discussions with Venezuelan leaders -- as we have with leaders throughout the Western Hemisphere and across the globe -- that we strongly oppose any support, from whatever source, for terrorist organizations. |
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