The United States is not considering placing Venezuela on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, the State Department said Monday.
Spokesman &to=http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/368/11708_washington.html' target=_blank>Adam Ereli said there are objective criteria the U.S. uses in compiling the list,"but is there any particular effort under way with regard to &to=http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/368/16573_Chavez.html' target=_blank>Venezuela or any imminent change in our classification. Not that I'm aware of."
Venezuelan President &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/12/16/40882.html' target=_blank>Hugo Chavez said Friday Venezuelan authorities have found that U.S. officials planned to put his country on the list without elaborating on the source of his information.
Chavez has repeatedly accused the U.S. government of spying and plotting to oust him, while U.S. officials have firmly denied the allegations.
Ereli said the United States supports democracy in Venezuela and the civil and political rights of Venezuelans.
In reply to a question about military cooperation between the two countries, Ereli said,"We've had over the years good relations with the Venezuelan military. Certainly that we can continue that."
The questioner wanted to know if relations would suffer after reports from Venezuela last week about alleged U.S. embassy involvement in a spying case in which several Venezuelan naval officers were said to have passed sensitive information to the Defense Department.
Ereli would not comment on the allegation, reports AP.
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