Chavez: I'll be at U.N. summit on horseback if needed (Washington denies visas to his entourage)

Reuters UK ^ | Thu Sep 14, 2006 | Reuters

[indcons]

HAVANA (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he would travel alone to the U.N. General Assembly in New York -- on horseback if necessary -- after slamming Washington for denying visas for his security and medical team.

"They denied visas for my security and my doctors. They don't want my advance party in New York," Chavez said on Thursday when arriving in communist Cuba for a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement of developing nations.

"I'm going even if I have to go alone, with Fidel ... (and) on horseback," said Chavez.

Chavez constantly lambastes the United States and has tried to rally countries to an anti-U.S. front to promote socialism around the world. Washington accuses Venezuela of using its oil wealth to destabilise democracy in the region.

The United States said that Venezuela had been late in applying for visas.

"Some members of the Venezuelan delegation do not have Venezuelan nationality and our law has special requirements that take time. These visa (requests) could not be processed because they were not made early enough," Brian Penn, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Caracas said by telephone.

Local media have reported that Chavez's entourage includes Cubans when he travels. The U.S. spokesman did not specify the nationality of the people who were denied visas.

World leaders are gathering at the U.N. General Assembly from Sept 19-29.

[indcons]

LOL....he has really lost his mind, hasn't he? How much of this is populism and how much does he actually believe?

[Gordongekko909]

"They denied visas for my security and my doctors. They don't want my advance party in New York,"

No, Chavez, we don't mind your advance team on principal. It's YOU we don't want.

[cripplecreek]

Good idea Sluggo, I'm sure the American people will greet you with open arms along the way. I suggest starting the trip in Miami.

[pierrem15]

Maybe he'll swim, and then we can call him a 'wetback', too.

[Bosco]

Let's see...Mr. Chavez... about your car reservation. It appears that we do not have the Lincoln stretch limousine available at this time. However, we do have a Yugo stretch limousine available at no extra charge...

[madison10]

Maybe if he came in riding on a jacka$$...or better yet a Billygoat.

[piasa]

"Some members of the Venezuelan delegation do not have Venezuelan nationality and our law has special requirements that take time. These visa (requests) could not be processed because they were not made early enough," Brian Penn, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Caracas said by telephone.

Hugo's so hated by his own countrymen that he needs Cubans to watch his back.

[EGPWS]

"I'm going even if I have to go alone, with Fidel ... (and) on horseback," said Chavez.

Your horse is welcome. Does she have a visa?

[piasa]

pingk

[lizmac]

Mr. Chavez....here's your shovel...please clean up after your horse.
**note to State Department...stop allowing people into my country who continually disrespect it...thank you.

[SmithL]

...you and the horse you rode in on!

[Tench_Coxe]

""I'm going even if I have to go alone, with Fidel ... (and) on horseback," said Chavez."

Let me guess. This guy is the male version of Hillary channelling Eleanor Roosevelt, except Chavez is Simon Bolivar.

[Dog Gone]

Gawd, he'll complaing about the hotel checkout time and the firmness of the pillows.

[Hilltop]

Chinga tu madre senor'Chavez.

[RichInOC]

No, no, I think that probably lost something in translation. I think he actually said that he'll act like the back of a horse at the UN summit.

[Billthedrill]

I don't think Baby Huey's private army would be especially welcome in NY anytime, especially not if it includes Cubans. But I can see how the bloated little caudillo might need a few friendly faces close to him to tell him how great he is. Those he'll have to import.

[cripplecreek]

Well I understood the "your mamma" part of that. LOL

[therut]

HIs horse better not tresspass on my PRIVATE property.

[indcons]

Your horse is welcome. Does she have a visa?
LMAO

[indcons]

Excelent point. Why else would a president of a country travel with a security and defense team made up of foreigners??