Chvez Tells Us Ambassador to Stop Meddling

The Venezuelan president, Hugo Chávez, is threatening to expel the outspoken US ambassador William Brownfield for what he claimed was meddling in the country's affairs.

Mr Chávez made a similar threat to Mr Brownfield last year when he said he would have to pack his bags if he continued to be provocative. In a tit-for-tat diplomatic exchange, officials from both countries were expelled in a spying row.

The president delivered the new threat on Thursday night after Mr Brownfield intervened over Venezuela's proposal this month to nationalise the country's main telephone company, in which US firms, including New York-based Verizon Communications, are minority shareholders.

Mr Chávez's outburst came after Mr Brownfield told the Venezuelan radio station Union Radio: "Every government in the world is obliged to carry out nationalisations in a legal and transparent way and offer fair and prompt compensation."

The president retorted: "Mr ambassador, go meddle in the affairs of your own country. If you continue meddling in Venezuela's affairs, first of all, you are violating the Geneva accords and getting yourself involved in a serious violation and could ... be declared persona non grata and would have to leave the country."

Mr Chávez has indicated he is not prepared to pay the market price for the company because of factors such as debts to workers and the state. The company was privatised in 1991.

The warning is the latest in a string of spats between the two countries. A White House spokesman said he was aware of the threat.