SPAIN/VENEZUELA: Chavez Refuses To Extradite Alleged Top Basque/ETA Militant.

C.S.MONITOR/

           Relations are strained between Spain and Hugo Chavez. Chavez refuses to extradite Arturo Cubillas, Latin America's alleged top Basque separatist, because of local laws. A Spaniard, Mr. Cubillas also became a naturalized citizen of Venezuela in 1993.

         “This is a critical moment, and this could put Chávez in the eye of the hurricane in terms of international terrorism. Venezuela could be considered a refuge and nest of international terrorists and that is serious,” says think tanker Vicente Palacio. “The Spanish government will try to solve this discreetly if Venezuela is more helpful. But Chávez has made this into a state affair.”