Response to Chavez’ threat: Europe’s top civil servant suggested the idea of an oil export ban was out of proportion

Caracas Daily Journal (Jeremy Morgan): President Hugo Chavez’ threat to halt oil exports to countries that adopt a new law against illegal immigration approved by the European Parliament drew response on Friday from leaders of the European Union (EU). The President also said he'd ordered a "review" of European investments in Venezuela, adding with indignation that he was willing for that to start right away.

The initial response to Chavez’ statement -- in which he cast aspersions on legislators at the Strasbourg parliament -- came from Javier Solana, secretary-general of the European Union Council. "I respect what President Chavez can say, but to me it appears to be a declaration that, in my judgment, is totally out of proportion," Solana said.

Janez Jansa, currently president of the European Council -- a post revolving between member countries on a six-monthly basis -- suggested Latin American leaders had over-reacted and maybe didn't know the details. While reportedly not mentioning Chavez by name, Jansa said initial reactions in Latin America and Africa "perhaps were exaggerated, perhaps they come from somebody that doesn't understand sufficiently well" what the text signified. Or maybe "somebody read an article in a newspaper and didn't completely understand whether or not this involved a threat" to immigrants.

Spanish Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero suggested the EU should "explain exactly" to Chavez what the new law entailed because he evidently did not know the text. "I've no doubt that if we explain it, there won't be any reaction," he said. The cool tone at institutional level contrasted strongly with Chavez' condemnation of the law's supporters as "representatives of true fascism, tyranny, disrespect for the human being and the most elemental rights of the people."

Asking out loud whether the Europeans were about to "reopen the fascist and Nazi concentration camps," he said he'd call upon Latin America, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the African Union to urge Europe to "respect the dignity of our peoples." The statement implied Chavez was willing to challenge virtually an entire continent. The law was approved by the parliament without any changes to a text that reports say had been previously approved by all 27 member governments of the EU.

Controversy centers on provisions to detain foreigners who are found not to have their legal papers in order -- or not to have any at all -- for up to six months before they are deported. Detention can be extended to 18 months in cases of individuals who don't cooperate with the European authorities, or if there are difficulties obtaining documents from their countries of origin. People deported as illegal immigrants will not be allowed to return for up to five years.