ANGER OVER U.S. SHIPS

VENEZUELA - Accusing the United States of "contravening international law,"
the Foreign Ministry has formally protested what it describes as incursions
into Venezuela's waters this month by two U.S. Coast Guard vessels, the
Reliance and the Gentian. The U.S. Embassy has denied the accusation,
saying that both ships, which are used in counternarcotics operations, were
"operating in accordance with international maritime law."