Chavez' secret services suspected of trying to spy on Zapatero

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Spanish security services prevented an attempt to spy on Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during his official visit to Venezuela on March 30, 2005, the daily El Pais reported Monday.

A microphone was found under the hotel table around which Zapatero was to meet Venezuelan opposition leaders in Caracas.

The Venezuelan official in charge of Zapatero's security denied any knowledge of the attempt at spying. The intelligence services of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez were suspected, according to El Pais.

Spain did not take any diplomatic measures because of the incident, an official source was quoted as saying.

Opposition representatives claimed that the Chavez government spied routinely on the opposition and on foreign diplomats, using the information to "spread fear" among its opponents. dpa st gma