Rice: Venezuela, others in U.N. must fight terrorism

BRASILIA, Brazil - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that all U.N. nations, including Venezuela, have an obligation to go after terrorists and keep them from operating within their borders.

The comment was largely a warning shot for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who U.S. officials suspect has lent support to Colombian rebels. In recent days, Rice and President Bush have sharpened their rhetoric against Chavez while at the same time praising Colombia and other Latin American allies in a bid to isolate the Venezuelan leader and bolster alliances in the region.

Asked whether the United States was seriously considering designating Venezuela as a state sponsor of terrorism, Rice said the nation was ready to respond if necessary.

"There is, after all, a U.N. obligation that all states have undertaken to do everything that they can to prevent terrorists from actively using their territory, from being engaged in terrorist financing," Rice told reporters after a meeting with Brazilian leaders during a two-day trip to the region. "These are obligations that all responsible states have taken and we expect responsible states to live up to those obligations."

On Venezuela's reported ties to Colombian rebels, Rice said: "We will watch the situation and the United States will act accordingly."

Bush administration officials say that adding a nation to a list of terrorism sponsors is not something they take lightly. Labeling Chavez a terrorism ally, unless absolutely necessary, also could embolden his confrontational style, increase tension in the region and complicate trade matters, U.S. officials fear.

But Rice, like Bush, made it clear the United States stands behind Colombia in its efforts against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC rebels, and has little patience for Chavez.

Chavez denies that his country provides refuge to the FARC.

"Borders are important," Rice said. "But borders cannot be a means by which terrorists hide and engage in activities that kill innocent civilians."

Chavez and Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, this month ordered troops to their Colombian borders and withdrew their ambassadors from Bogota after Colombian commandos killed a top rebel leader, Raul Reyes, on Ecuadorean soil.