Venezuela's accusations that the Dutch Navy violated its airspace "have absolutely no basis in fact" according to the Netherlands' outgoing Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen. Addressing the issue on a working visit to Curaçao, an island in the Netherlands Antilles, Mr Verhagen spoke out in response to a complaint issued by the Venezuelan government earlier this week.
The Dutch minister insists that no violation of Venezuelan airspace took place, commenting that the helicopter in question remained in international airspace throughout its flight and that its flight path could be clearly traced. He suggests that Venezuela's concerns might be based on a misunderstanding.
The misunderstanding may be due to the fact that part of the international airspace is under the control of - monitored by - air traffic control in Venezuela. But under international law, this international airspace is accessible to all. Even if the air traffic control is carried out by the Venezuelan authorities.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Email this Bulletin
Printer-friendly version
The biggest misunderstanding is that Hugo Chavez is not taking care of his own people, and is using international politics to divert attention from his numerous national and internal problems.