Spanish King To Chavez: "Shut Up"

Spain's Governing Party Says Monarch Was Right To Blast Venezuelan President

(AP)  Spain's king was right to tell Hugo Chavez to "shut up" at a summit because the Venezuelan president had insulted Spain's former prime minister, the governing party said Monday.

Spain wants good relations with Latin American countries but will not tolerate a lack of respect for its citizens, in this case a prominent one like former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, said Diego Lopez Garrido, spokesman in Parliament for the Socialist Party.

"This is a fundamental, democratic principle, one that governs relations between countries," Lopez Garrido told a news conference.

The spat arose Saturday at an Ibero-American summit in Santiago, Chile, when Chavez accused Aznar of backing a 2002 coup that briefly removed Chavez from power. Chavez repeatedly called Aznar a "fascist" in an address at the summit of leaders from Latin America, Spain and Portugal.

Spain's current prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, asked Chavez to be more diplomatic and show respect for other leaders despite political differences. "President Hugo Chavez, I think there is an essential principle to dialogue, and that is, to respect and be respected. We should be careful not to fall into insults," Zapatero said.

Chavez continued to interrupt as Zapatero spoke, although his microphone was off.

A frustrated King Juan Carlos, seated next to Zapatero, leaned toward Chavez and loudly asked, "Por que no te callas?" - or "Why don't you shut up?" The monarch then left the chamber.

Aznar later called to thank Zapatero for defending him, Lopez Garrido said.

Chavez fueled the dispute further on Sunday by suggesting the king knew in advance of the 2002 coup. Spanish royal palace officials were not available for comment Monday.

During the two-day coup in April 2002, Aznar called interim president Pedro Carmona, and the Spanish ambassador to Venezuela met with Carmona. Chavez was restored to power after massive street protests.

Aznar later told the Spanish Parliament he had discussed with Carmona arrangements for Chavez to go to Cuba. Aznar's party has insisted, however, that the conservative government then in power did not back the coup.

But Spain's current Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos charged in December 2004 that Aznar had in fact given the putsch his diplomatic blessing. Moratinos cited diplomatic cables from the period and other government documents.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by zootallures2 at 09:00 PM : Nov 12, 2007



Isn''t it amazing how the only bombers or killers of ''innocent'' civilians are any democracy? We know this because zooty tells us every time he posts. Muslims and other extremist are peace loving non-agressive members of society that cannot stand the sight of blood. slightly sarcastic

[zootallures2]

Socialist, dictator... call him what you want, but he doesn''t stage false flag terror and murder his own citizens like Spain. Maybe King Juan Carlos can bomb at train or two and blame Venezuela... that''ll show ''em.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by jowand at 07:52 PM : Nov 12, 2007


Never heard it from him, but I don''t mind, its the thought that counts.

[jowand]

Let it be not forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot/ The United States of America)"

Posted by ToolMangler at 07:48 PM : Nov 12, 2007

That was a Dan Blather invention

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by endofempire at 06:47 PM : Nov 12, 2007



Well said, well said!!!

"Let it be not forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot/ The United States of America)"

[endofempire]

When a leftist dictator speaks, we hail the blessed words of defender of the proletariat. We refer to them with reverence, as is the case with Fidel Castro, murderer of over 15,000 human beings (by some accounts the death toll is high as 18,000) and oppressor of his own people, to the point that many of them would rather die eaten by sharks than to stay and continue to suffer. Why do we hold this reverence for the left? Why is Pinochet right below Hitler in the pantheon of monsters when Stalin killed 12 million and caused the deaths of may more! Pinochet killed 3,000, gave up power willingly, but was detained and almost extradited to Spain. Castro and Ortega (about 5,000 Nicaraguans under his belt) roam the world with impunity... Why? Because we are Lenin''s "Useful Fools", not only towards Communists, but also towards the Muslim. Our hearts bleed for them, for we quickly forget how often in the past they have stabbed us in the back.

[ioweign]

I''''d like to say it too. Chavez...Shut up!

Posted by sillywilly4 at 05:58 PM : Nov 12, 2007

No - keep him talking - let the loony tune be witnessed by one and all !!

[ioweign]

Just one well-placed bullet....

Posted by MityWhity at 05:17 PM : Nov 12, 2007


Are you Pat Robertson ??

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 05:55 PM

I have sympathy for the plight of the poor in any country. But if a man like Chavez is their only hope, I really feel for them. He is not a man of peace, which his speeches reveal easily.

[feelfree1]

rudy654,

Check out the film:

''THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED''

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxT6erdLmYY

This movie might provide you with a different view of what is going on there, and provide some insight as to how we might reclaim control over our own government.