Bill Delahunt: “Reclaiming my time, there was, and I would remind my friend that there was a very tense issue between Venezuela and the…”

“Reclaiming my time, there was, and I would remind my friend that there was a very tense issue between Venezuela and the United States regarding air traffic between our countries. Quiet diplomacy, patience, restraint resulted in the resolution of that problem. So that today between Venezuela and the United States, there is air travel, it is working. So accord can happen. I share the frustration of my friend from Indiana. I know that he is someone who is a very can-do kind of guy, and at times, one might describe his temperament as somewhat impetuous. Unfortunately, diplomacy does not necessarily work that way. Now, I understand, too, that the State Department INL had this to say. I am quoting from our own State Department. This is after all of the problems that you described between the DEA and the anti-drug officer of Venezuela. This is a quote. ``In spite of the political tensions, DEA continued working with its law enforcement contacts, developing information and leads that have contributed,'' listen carefully, ``have contributed to record seizures by Venezuelan law enforcement.'' The DEA is acknowledging that there have been record seizures, according to their own official report, the INL. ``After decertification, political sniping faded and government officials expressed renewed willingness to cooperate.…”