ROSEAU - Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore says a suggestion that Dominica may be joining forces with Venezuela to form a military alliance against the United States is laughable.

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez has made a call for member states of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), which Dominica joined in January, to use military force against the US.

Critics here, including the main opposition have battered the government on its decision to join ALBA, given the strong anti-US posture of Chavez.

Minister Blackmoore said on state radio Saturday that the Dominica government cannot be held accountable for statements made by the Venezuelan leader.

"The people of Dominica cannot be held accountable for what everybody says," Blackmoore, chairman of the Regional Security System said. "That is laughable and I think persons who are going along on that tangent are doing that for the purpose of political expedience".

He said Dominica's close relation with Venezuela results from a pursuit for economic development for its people.

"When this government was elected we promised to pursue a development path. We recognize that there is need for a change in the approach of representation of the people," the National Security Minister said.

Blackmoore has also said that Dominica's relations with the United States remain strong despite suggestions to the contrary.

"Dominica's relationship with the US is strong," he said, adding that US Ambassador Mary Ourisman will visit Dominica on March 14 to announce further areas of cooperation.

"We are going to have a US funded medical program for Dominica where 400 to 800 people will be seen. Isn't that indicative of the strength of a relationship?" Blackmoore asked.