Written question asked by Peter L Pike (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 September 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 13 September 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) the Venezuelan Government, (b) the Venezuelan Opposition Parties and (c) the organisers of the petition for a recall referendum on President Chavez regarding this recall referendum; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Venezuelan Government, (b) the Venezuelan Opposition Parties and (c) the organisers of the petition for a recall referendum on President Chavez regarding this recall referendum; and if he will make a statement. [186389] Mr. Rammell: None. However, our Embassy in Caracas has a regular dialogue with all sides in Venezuela. I refer my hon. Friend to my press statement, issued on 17 August on the outcome of the recall referendum on 15 August. I called on all sides in Venezuela to respect the result of the referendum, as endorsed by the international observers, and work towards national reconciliation. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases.

Secondary information