Information on the treatment faced by Palestinians or their descendants by authorities or by the Venezuelan population in general could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.

According to PROVEA, the Programa Venezolano de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos, one of Venezuela's main non-government human rights organizations, the Arab community in Venezuela, which includes Palestinians and their descendants, does not face any problems specific to their community (28 Apr. 1993). If individual members of the community do encounter significant problems, these are not due to their ethnic or national background (Ibid.). The only problem faced by members of the Arab community in Venezuela reportedly took place some eight years ago, when relations between Venezuela and Libya were unusually strained (Ibid.). The embassy of Libya was under surveillance at that time, and persons who approached the embassy were often questioned and sometimes followed by members of the security forces. This surveillance, however, mostly affected Venezuelans who dealt with the embassy, as well as some members of the embassy's staff (Ibid.). In general, the Arab community in Venezuela is economically successful and is regarded as "non-political" (Ibid.). Although individual members may advocate particular political causes, the community at large is not associated with any particular political interests or activities (Ibid.).

A written statement on the requested subject which adds detail to the above has been prepared by PROVEA and mailed to the DIRB. A copy of this document will be forwarded to you immediately upon receipt.

In addition to the above, please find attached an article containing the most recent reference available to the DIRB on race or ethnic relations in Venezuela. The article, which states that Venezuela "has no racial problem," concentrates however on recent political developments in anticipation of the country's forthcoming presidential election (Latin American Newsletters 29 Apr. 1993, 1).

Additional and/or corroborating information could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.

Latin American Newsletters. 29 April 1993. Latin American Weekly Report. "AD Membership Spurns `Cogollo' and Picks `Black Claudio' as Candidate." London: Latin American Newsletters.

Programa Venezolano de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos (PROVEA), Caracas. 28 April 1993. Telephone Interview with Representative.

Latin American Newsletters. 29 April 1993. Latin American Weekly Report. "AD Membership Spurns `Cogollo' and Picks `Black Claudio' as Candidate." London: Latin American Newsletters, p. 1.