Venezuelans assail US envoy's car

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Supporters of President Hugo Chavez threw eggs and tomatoes at the US ambassador's car yesterday, and motorcyclists chased his convoy for miles, at times pounding on the vehicles. The US State Department quickly accused Caracas city officials of complicity.

Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez was summoned to the State Department in Washington and told that his country was in violation of an international convention that requires host countries to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats, department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

The diplomat was warned there would be ''severe diplomatic consequences between our countries" if another such incident should occur, McCormack said.

Brian Penn, spokesman for the US Embassy in Caracas, said Venezuelan police escorts did not intervene as a car carrying Ambassador William Brownfield was pounded and pelted. No one was hurt. The Caracas mayor's office denied involvement. ''No official authorized by the mayor's office participated," said Luis Martinez, spokesman for Mayor Juan Barreto.