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, whether the British Government will play an independent role in monitoring the recall referendum which is due to take place in Venezuela in August; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British Government will play an independent role in monitoring the recall referendum which is due to take place in Venezuela in August; and if he will make a statement. [186415] Mr. Rammell: We did not participate as observers of the recall referendum on 15 August, either independently or otherwise. We fully support the official observers of the referendum, the Organisation of American States and the Carter Centre. I commended them in my press statement on 17 August on the outcome of the referendum. 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