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Venezuela review { May 14 2002 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11787-2002May13.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11787-2002May13.html
WASHINGTON IN BRIEF
Tuesday, May 14, 2002; Page A05
Watchdog Agrees to Venezuela Review
The State Department's inspector general has agreed to review U.S. policy and actions during the failed coup attempt against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez April 12-14, an aide to Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) said yesterday. The Bush administration, which characterized the coup attempt as a "change in government" during its early hours, later joined Latin American governments in condemning the "alteration of constitutional order in Venezuela" after it was clear that Chavez had returned to power.
The administration has denied allegations of involvement in the coup, despite its antipathy toward Chavez and a series of meetings with opponents of his government in the months preceding the attempt. Dodd requested an expedited review of "relevant documents, including e-mails, memoranda, cables, telephone transcripts, press guidance, telephone and meeting logs, and relevant intelligence collection and analysis available to the Department or Embassy in Caracas." He also asked that relevant U.S. government and non-government officials be interviewed.
The review is expected to be completed by July 3, after which Dodd plans to hold subcommittee hearings.
Judge Denies Delay in Fundraiser Sentence
A federal judge yesterday denied Democratic fundraiser Maria Hsia's request to delay her sentence while she appealed to the Supreme Court her conviction for her role in a 1996 fundraiser for Al Gore at a Buddhist temple in California.
Hsia, 50, was convicted of violating campaign finance laws by funneling more than $100,000 in illegal donations to Democratic candidates. She was ordered last year to serve 90 days of home detention, followed by nearly three years of probation.
U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman ordered Hsia to report to the federal probation office within 15 days. Friedman ruled that it was highly unlikely the Supreme Court would take up her case following a unanimous, unsigned opinion from the Court of Appeals in December that rejected her appeal.
Rumsfeld Seeks Ties to Indonesia's Military
It is time to rebuild military relations with Indonesia, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said yesterday. Congress suspended military aid programs with Indonesia in 1999 because of human rights violations in East Timor.
U.S. officials believe that terrorist cells with links to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network may be operating in Indonesia.
Rumsfeld met at the Pentagon with Indonesian Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil, who said his government has begun to reform the military, put suspected rights abusers on trial and established "the principle of civilian supremacy over the military in Indonesia."
At a news conference with Djalil, Rumsfeld said he hoped those steps would help persuade Congress to restore some contacts.
Senate Confirms Judicial Nominee
By a 67 to 20 vote, the Senate confirmed as a federal judge a Utah professor who tried to topple a pillar of American justice -- the requirement that police inform suspects of their rights to remain silent and to have an attorney.
Foes argued Paul G. Cassell's challenge of the Miranda warning showed he lacked the judgment to be on the federal bench. Proponents maintained the former prosecutor and longtime advocate for crime victims had proven himself to be an effective defender of justice.
Cassell, 42, became the 57th judicial nominee of President Bush to be confirmed by the Senate; 42 district and appeals court nominees await action. One Bush nominee has been rejected, Charles W. Pickering of Mississippi.
Compiled from reports by
staff writers Karen DeYoung
and Neely Tucker and by the Associated Press and Reuters
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
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