Posted on 03/11/2005 2:39:33 PM PST by NormsRevenge
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's maverick President Hugo Chavez said Friday that Iran has a "right" to a nuclear energy program and he would back the Middle Eastern country up in its dispute with the United States over what Washington sees as an attempt by Tehran to obtain atomic bombs.
"Iran has the right to develop its atomic energy like any other country in the world and continue its investigations in this field," Chavez said during meetings with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. "Venezuela and Iran agree in firmly rejecting the imperialist policy of the United States." Government ministers from both countries also signed 20 agreements to cooperate in projects from oil exploration to a tractor assembly plant, but Chavez talked most about the countries' common troubles with the United States.
Khatami said both governments "are firm against any aggression that could come up."
The United States has repeatedly voiced concerns about Iran's nuclear program and has criticized what Chavez's opponents call a drift toward dictatorship.
"Iran, confronted by the United States, has our solidarity," said Chavez, a fierce critic of U.S. foreign policy and close ally of Cuba's Fidel Castro. "Like you, we are willing to be free from imperialism."
"Iran and Venezuela, these two brothers, are and will be together forever," Chavez said after the talks at Miraflores Presidential Palace.
Chavez said leading "revolutions" is the only manner of opposing U.S. hegemony in world affairs. Without referring to the United States, Khatami said both nations "have decided to be free.
U.S. officials did not immediately comment on the meeting between Khatami and Chavez, which came five days before an Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries summit in Iran where members will meet amid record high oil prices.
IslamoKommies with nukes..
Coming to a hemipshere near you, sooner than you think.
Yet another addition to Chavez's "Look At Me!!!" chronicles.
There must be an assassin running around out there with nothing to do...
Meanwhile the EUroweenies are enabling this madness,, and "revolutions", like ostriches with their heads in the sand.
This message is in effect threating an oil embargo.
Yes they do have a right to a nuclear power program. We just ain't going to let them build nuclear bombs.
Chavez is allying with terrorists too. Ok. Time to apply the Bush Doctrine to Venezuela.
This guy seems like he's trying awfully hard lately to get onto the "Axis of Evil" list...
NO oil for the US, then no venezuelan oil for anybody period!
We should give a couple of nukes to Chavez's opposition.
I wonder if he would protest their right.
"Chavez we will remember him".
We need to kick Baby Fidel's a$$! He's begging for it.
Does this mean when we straighten out Iran we get to straighten out Venezuela too? I sure hope so .
Don't worry, Hugo. We'll get to you in due time, and your buddy Fidel, too.
Hugo, you ignorant little turd with bad breath, you need to STFU before you wind up sharing a suite with Uday and Qusay Hussein.
On the other hand, you're going to the same place they're in, the only question is WHEN.
Go ahead, give us a reason Hugo.
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