Did Venezuela qualify for the world cup?


By Blacklisted Dictator
June 27, 2010
Share

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=179635

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday and called on Latin America and the Arab world to fight what he called America's imperialist and capitalist interests abroad.

Assad also strongly criticized Israel, calling the Jewish state's government "extremist" and condemning its blockade of Gaza.

"The resistance must be supported," he said.

During a meeting at Venezuela's presidential palace, Chavez told Assad it was an honor to host the Syrian leader on his first visit to Latin America. Chavez presented Assad with a gold-plated replica of a sword that once belonged to South American independence hero Simon Bolivar — the inspiration for his "Bolivarian Revolution."

The two leaders signed an agreement to create a $100 million trade and development fund.

"Arab civilization and our civilization, the Latin American one, are being summoned in this new century to play the fundamental role of liberating the world, saving the world from the imperialism and capitalist hegemony that threaten the human species," Chavez said. "Syria and Venezuela are at the vanguard of this struggle."

Assad praised Chavez for standing up to the United States and supporting the Palestinian struggle.

"There are few politicians who are courageous to speak out when it's necessary," he said through an interpreter. "Chavez has projected the image of a resistant Venezuela."

Chavez is perhaps Latin's America's most outspoken critic of the United States, lashing out at the US government for purportedly conspiring against him and meddling in the region's affairs. US officials, in turn, have raised concerns that Chavez is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Chavez also took a dig at the US soccer team, celebrating Ghana's 2-0 victory of the Americans in a decisive World Cup match earlier on Saturday. "What a blast! Ghana won, Ghana defeated the United States," he said.

Chavez also condemned the UN Security Council for tightening sanctions against Iran as a means of curbing development of the Islamic state's nuclear program.

Assad said all nations, including Iran, "have the right to develop nuclear energy."

COMMENTS

Blacklisted Dictator

27 June, 2010 - 10:54

Rate this:

0 points

It would be interesting to see how the Venezuelan team fare against the USA.

Blacklisted Dictator

27 June, 2010 - 10:59

Rate this:

0 points

Ghana actually beat the USA 2-1.

Not 2-0, as stated in the JPost report.

Jonathan Hoffman

28 June, 2010 - 04:43

Rate this:

0 points

Reuters: 'Genocidal' Israel will be put in its place - Chavez
Sun Jun 27, 2010 1:59am GMT
By Frank Jack Daniel

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez described Israel on Saturday as a genocidal state that acted as an assassin for the United States, predicting the Middle East nation would one day be "put in its place."

The socialist Chavez is a harsh critic of both Israel and the United States and cut relations with Israel after accusing it of "holocaust" for its 2009 offensive in the Gaza Strip.

"It has become the assassin arm of the United States, no one can doubt it. It is a threat to all of us," Chavez said, during a visit by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Chavez said he supported a peaceful struggle for the return to Syria of the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in 1967.

"The territory will one day return to the Syrian hands," Chavez said. "Of course we want it to be peaceful because we don't want more war."

"But one day the genocidal state of Israel will be put into its place, and let's hope that a really democratic state emerges there, with which we can share a path and ideas."

Chavez did not offer further details of what putting Israel "in its place" would entail.

U.S. attempts to isolate Syria and reshape the Middle East have failed, he said, and Israel was fast losing allies.

Israel last week eased its land blockade on the Gaza Strip, allowing in all goods except for arms and related materials. That move followed widespread criticism for a raid on a blockade-busting group of boats, in which nine activists died.

Hugely popular in the Arab world for his fierce "anti-imperialist" stance. Chavez received a hero's welcome when he visited Syria in 2006. He returned to Damascus on a tour last year.

ASSAD TOUR

Assad arrived in Venezuela on Friday, the first stop on a rare Latin American tour. He is also due to visit Argentina, Brazil and Cuba.

Syria has started to raise its international profile in recent years, shrugging off Western efforts to weaken it and developing ties with former foe Turkey, Russia and with Latin American nations.

Assad, who faces a decline in domestic oil production and droughts that have hit agriculture, is looking to reinforce links with a rich Syrian expatriate community in the region and with economic power Brazil.

His tour is expected to focus on bilateral issues and Syria's hopes to attract $44 billion in private foreign investment over five years to repair its infrastructure.

He applauded Chavez's loud criticism of the United States and Israel. "Few politicians are brave enough to say no, when it is necessary to say no," Assad said as he arrived at the Miraflores presidential palace.

"He has revealed an image of Venezuela in resistance, creating a place for Venezuela on the international map. He has been on the side on just causes both in Latin America, in our region the Middle East and in the whole world."

(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; editing by Todd Eastham)

Blacklisted Dictator

28 June, 2010 - 07:35

Rate this:

0 points

I wonder how Bolizuela will fare:

http://www.democracyctr.org/blog/2010/04/chavez-and-morales-announce-pla...

"The Presidency was obviously one difficult matter. We agreed in the end on a plan for a rotating presidency. On weeks that begin with an even numbered date President Chavez will be responsible for domestic matters and Evo will take charge of foreign concerns, such as saying bad things about the United States. On odd numbered weeks they will reverse those responsibilities." This issue was apparently settled only this past Monday with a compromise that authorizes President Chavez to say bad things about the United States on any day he wishes."

POST A COMMENT

You must be logged in to post a comment.

MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR

LATEST COMMENTS