Robertson’s anti-Chavez remarks “not a UN matter”

Robertson’s anti-Chavez remarks “not a UN matter” – spokesman

Questioned about United States Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson's call yesterday for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a United Nations spokesman today stressed that the world body does not condone any comments that incite violence against a democratically elected head of State.

“Obviously this is not a UN matter, but a matter between a private citizen and a head of State, but clearly, as a point of principle, we do take seriously any incitement to violence against heads of State, and of course we do not condone any comment that would impute harm to a democratically elected head of Government,” spokesman Farhan Haq told the daily press briefing.

On his religious broadcast "The 700 Club" Mr. Robertson said that President Chavez was a "terrific danger" to the United States and that American forces should "take him out."

Asked if this was a matter that could be brought before the Security Council, Mr. Haq said that at the present time, no UN body, neither the Security Council nor the Secretariat or any other, has had this particular matter brought to its attention.

“We hope that the respective parties can deal with it amicably. But as I’ve said, although remarks by private citizens are not necessarily an affair that we would get involved in, we do stand against comments that would incite anyone to violence,” Mr. Haq said, adding: “We would hope that everyone is mature enough to see that these comments are not to be acted on or to be taken seriously.”

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