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Chavez in Iran: Obama Still Leads 'Empire'
TEHRAN - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that he has little hope of better relations with Washington under President Barack Obama, saying the United States is still acting like an "empire" in his eyes.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, right, points to the media during a welcoming ceremony by his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, at the presidency in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, April 2, 2009. (AP Photo/ISNA, Amir Pourmand) Chavez made the comments after arriving in Tehran on a two-day visit to Iran. In recent years, Chavez and Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - both well-known for their anti-U.S. rhetoric - have boosted economic and political ties.
The socialist leader congratulated Iran on its recent 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which ousted the U.S.-backed shah and installed rule by hard-line Islamic clerics.
"Arriving in Tehran for us is like arriving at one's own home," Chavez told reporters in remarks carried on Venezuelan state-run television.
When asked about Obama's recent overtures to Iran for improved relations, Chavez said he will wait and see how the new administration takes shape but that he isn't optimistic.
"I don't have much hope, because behind him is an empire. He's the president of an empire. ... Now, I think it's fair to give him some time. ... Seeing is believing," Chavez said. "I hope President Obama is the last president of the Yankee empire, and the first president of a truly democratic republic, the United States."
The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Iran after the 1979 revolution and the takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran by hard-line students. Ties deteriorated under former President George W. Bush, but Obama has struck a different tone since taking office, saying he would like to have engagement with Tehran. Iran has so far been cooler to the idea of making immediate contacts.
Chavez's relations with Washington also grew increasingly strained under Bush, including expelling the U.S. ambassador and withdrawing his envoy from Washington in September.
He also has been critical of Obama, including calling him "ignorant" last month after the U.S. president accused Chavez of "exporting terrorism" and being an obstacle to progress in Latin American. But the Venezuelan president also has expressed hope at times for a better relationship with the U.S. under Obama.
Before traveling to Iran, Chavez was in Qatar for a Latin American and Arab summit. While there, Chavez condemned the U.S. government's stances in the Middle East and support of Israel.
"It's a policy of permanent aggression, of war, of terrorism by the U.S. empire. That's the great guilty one, the great Satan, as they call it here," Chavez said.
Chavez, who while in Qatar courted a proposal for a new, oil-backed currency to challenge the dollar while, also said a joint Venezuelan-Iranian bank would be inaugurated Thursday during his visit. He said the two countries each put $100 million into the joint development bank.
"The big banks of the world have sunk, but here a new bank is being born," Chavez said.
Chavez's government has also founded the Bank of the South along with allied governments in South America in an effort to create a homegrown alternative to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Chavez has called such moves part of an effort to move away from Washington's influence and set up a new, independent financial structure.
Also Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Energy said Venezuela shipped an average 144,000 barrels of crude oil per day more to the U.S. in January than in December despite promising to slash crude shipments to the U.S. under recent OPEC cuts. Venezuela had said it would cut those exports by 166,000 barrels per day.
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82 Comments so far
Show All-In fact i thing making a point of it is the patriotic thing to do.
agreed.
-The charge them though while we do it for free.
I'm sure the dead and injured Palestinians apreciate the difference.
-The family of the soldier that kid killed want a just solution
Oh, the kid(he was 15) had a trial? I must have missed it. How many years has he been in prison, now? Have his US torturers had a trial as well? The last I heard, Some of the "gitmo" prosecuters and judges were resigning and saying that the whole procces was a mockery of justice.
-Although when we alone constitute over half of the entire worlds military spending a small budget cut really doesn't make a whole lot of difference to be honest with you.
I agree but it would be a hopefull sign, and God knows you guys need one.
-Those assassin squads you brought up are true but they aren't in Iran they are in Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan and they are targeting the Iranian agents in those countries
Do you think it is a "good thing" for employees of the US to murder people in other countries? Is there a list of countries where murder is OK? Does it change regularly? By "Iranian agents" what do you mean? Do you mean "diplomats"? Does Iran have "agents" whereas the US has "diplomats"?
-In reply the Iranians are giving Iraq insurgents the IED that have killed thousands of American troops.
So US occupation troops in Iraq are dying so it is legitimate to murder Iranian nationals around the world?
-This will stop shortly, Iran doesn't have the ability to keep up. The US is about to place a gasoline sanction on Iran.
Really? more sanctions? This must be the new Obama "change and hope" policy I've heard so much of.
No sadly the kid still hasn't had a trial, i believe they had a few hearings and i know the Sup. Court is debating whether or not to hear arguments about the case. Sadly my Gov. just decided to lock 'em up and throw away the key...luckily they weren't forgotten. Though, honestly what Bush did to a couple hundred foreigners isn't the worst thing an American Pres has done, not close. Everybody forgets that FDR arrested and held without trial or even evidence over 100,000 American citizens during WWII. Bush is small time in this regard. FDR and Earl Warren, the greatly admired among progressive circles Earl Warren, had them arrested, taken from their homes with only what they could carry and held for nothing other than being part Japanese.
Covert Ops...In theory i'm not opposed to it but i question whether it is at all successful. I don't want people to be killed but i'm also a realist. In all the recorded history of mankind there has only been a decade or so of peace! No, i'm not talking about diplomats but rather uniformed Iranian soldiers. Likewise, it doesn't matter where the bombing occurs, those road side bombs are made in Iran. Iran is killing American soldiers in Iraq. I'm not a war hawk by any stretch but honestly if you target American troops you will be targeted.
The Iranian soldiers that are assisting the insurgents in Iraq are in a state of conflict with American troops. I don't believe the US is going around killing Iranian merchant traders-if they were you'd be seeing a whole lot of bodies in Dubai-but i have no problem with the US arresting an Iranian Revolutionary Guard member in Iraq. Funny, Basically a quiet war between Iran and the US is going on it Iraq but then in Afghanistan the Iranians and the US are helping each other hunt the Taliban. Isn't Geopolitics wonderful...
Those sanctions will prolly work remember when we cut Iran of from the banking world and Iran had to start rationing gas and raising taxes....sanctions are better than bombs. I genuinely feel that Iran is in a war of attrition with the US in Iraq and doing so is actually slowing down our withdraw. If Iranian interference were to stop we'd get out...the more American troops have to hunt Iranians in Iraq the less troops are available to stabilize the country.
"hope and change"....don't tell me you got suckered?
If there is a "liberal media" it is just left of conservative-thinking and that is not progressive enough for me.
The fact that the US is an Empire does not erase the fact that Iran is a brutal state for it's citizens--for women, children, queers ...anyone who champions humane policy.
I work with and talk to Iranian students and professors on a regular basis. I doubt they are all a part of some conspiracy to unjustly accuse Iran of the general crimes I cited. Furthermore, see any organization that fights for womens'-rights, child-rights, human rights... The very same organizations that criticize the US criticize Iran.
Just because the US Empire commits grievous atrocities doesn't mean that nations opposed to the US (e.g., Iran) aren't also committing grievous atrocities.
And you know what, in my opinion, the media at-large doesn't report much about violence against women and children and queers and intellectuals period. Plus, it's kind of hard to report Iranian crimes when the Iranian government has a policy of imprisonment, torture, and murder for anyone in the country who dissents from its inhumane policy-actions.
Perhaps you should go to Iran and bring us back a report of your "liberal" experience there. I hope you aren't a woman or a man (who presents as queer).
nia
Eighty eight percent of all known executions took place in five countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the USA. - Amnesty Intl.
In the US, there are 2,270 prisoners who were sentenced as children to life without parole. They will die behind bars.
The USA has the highest per capita prison population on the planet. Prisons in the USA are a for profit business.
The USA keeps sorry company when it comes to human rights. Our government shows very little respect for rights of others. Iran has invaded no country in perhaps 100 years, who knows how many dozens the US has invaded. By overthrowing the democratically elected government and installing the dictatorial Shah we hold more than a little responsibilty for Irans record on human rights.
Look in the mirror at your country as it is prior to taking the high ground.
Having personally experienced the brutality of our legal system, I am well aware of how violent our own Empire is. And again, this *does not* excuse Iran from its behavior or from interrogation of its behavior.
nia
I absolutely agree. Evo Morales is a great leader...which is why no one talks about him. Don't get me wrong. I support the Venezuelan peoples efforts toward a revolutionary solidarity. I wish Amurrikans had enough balls to support a real revolution here. That said, Chavez can go too far with the 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' bit. Also, as long as there are marginalized peoples in Venezuela (gays, women, etc), he has no room to speak against other nations' with the same ills.
Thank you, Thank you, Black_Anarch!
Finally, someone commenting who doesn't unconditionally support Chavez and Ahmadinejad no matter what they do or say.
Yes, they should be applauded for standing up against the great American bully, but there are many things both of them have said or done for which they should be chastised, let a lone criticized.
You need to understand, once and for all, that you are being dragged kicking and screaming into the REALITY that whitey's day in the sun is over.
Now get over it.
When you spent some time in Latin America--where I have lived for close to 20 years--you MIGHT be entitled to your opinion. Until then, you are just another white guy shooting off his mouth instead of crawling on his knees to beg for forgiveness.
Deepa
This article follows the traditional western and American jounalistic style. The underlying "conviction" of this journalism is that US is above any criticsm. So no one should comment even if Americans are invading other countries by killing millions of millions of citizens and plundering their natural resources. If someone does, he/she is labled as "socialist" or "hardliner". Bush is not a "hardliner" for authorizing genocidal violence and torture!!! Obama is not a hardliner for criticizing Venezuela for "exporting terrorism", ignoring the US' trackrecord of terrorism!!!
Shah is described only as "the US backed Shah", NOT THE US BACKED DICTATOR SHAH!!!
This is nothing but perpetuationn of American myths and lies, thus exposing and exporting its ignorance.
Right on Deepa! One other thing, the whore media never mentions: The Shah was offered nuclear weapons by the U.S. administration.
Indeed. Check out this promotional poster . . .
http://www.myconfinedspace.com/2008/04/08/guess-whos-building-nuclear-power-plants/
Any wholesale condemnation of any country on the USA demonizing list gives tacit approval to attack that country.
Demonizing List ----
1) Iran
2) Afghanistan (Taliban)
3) Pakistan
4) Venezuela (did not the USA already once kidnapp Chavez in a coup attempt?)
5) North Korea
6) Somailia
7)Palestine
8)Cuba
It would be a piece of cake for the USA to peacefully connect with the Iranian middle class
in response to No. 4 Yes - And there is an AMAZING Documentary on that;
The REVOLUTION Will NOT Be Televised
you can watch it for FREE on my blog @ http://enemyartistkristofer.blogspot.com
also while there watch the OBAMA Deception
You got on the bandwagon pretty late.
I saw the premiere of that documentary in Caracas in April 2003--with Chavez--which was the year it won best docu in a heap of film festivals around the globe.
Better late than never, I suppose....
Alternatives to the World Bank popping up now is part of a growing planetary trend called localism. The world now sees clearly and takes action against the corruption and destruction of power concentration. The bigger, the more powerful, the greater distance we keep from it. Ultimately, all individuals will do their part to help ostracize the elites from societies. Maybe the 100 million USans who voted in 2008 to preserve the elite establishment will finally join the localism movement.
Localized banks sounds like a great start to stabilizing this world economy. It's ironic how two huge countries like Russia and China call for a single world currency where Iran and Valenzuela call for more localism.
This global crisis is too dangerous, we need to go back to our roots of localism.
Venezuela also has been calling for the world petro currency.
Well, considering that your hero, Richard Nixon, abolished the gold standard--maybe it is the turn of a leader of another country to put some kind of a standard in place.
Oil backed currency?
Beats paper-backed currency--which is what we've got now.
I want to know where you get the idea that it's okay to make things up?
Never have i said not do i believe that Nixon was anything more than a clown.
People call you an idiot b/c you don't argue facts but rather make up things as you go along....not very intelligent!
"This global crisis is too dangerous, we need to go back to our roots of localism."
chiques,
It's a slow process but there are people working on it. Check out the "Common Good Bank":
http://www.commongoodbank.com/index.html
Why he's (Chavez)called a "Socialist" president? The Populist Chavez is shaking hand with the Hardliner Crazy President of a regime(Islamic Republic)that tortured and massacred over 140,000 political prisoners, mostly from various socialist and communist parties in 1980's. Ahmadinejhad was an "honorary" member of fire squad in EVIN prison in Tehran between 1983-85, he actually admitted "serving" the Islamic revolution in EVIN prison which he called "educational centre!!" .
Chavez and leaders like him should really be ashamed of having such close ties to the fascist state of Iran.
If the leader of Iran is that bad, it's too bad the US made a huge mistake installing him in Iran.
I would take Chavez over Barry or Dubya anyday simply because unlike our idiots in Washington, Chavez isn't corporate controlled. The closest we could get to Chavez was Nader and Mckinney but our electorate wimped out yet again.
The only issue I'd take with Chavez is that he be a little careful of himself out there plus that if he's really sick and tired of Washington acting stupid as it does, then he should just shut off the oil supply and make the US learn some lessons. Helping to keep the US addicted to oil for the sole purpose of getting all that oil revenue doesn't sound helpful to me. I don't know how he or his party is spending the oil revenue when he does get it.
I don't mind socialism but if at some point it means feeling as good as if I'm in shackles and a chastity belt, then I'll chose softhearted capitalism instead and continue trying to make the best of it and try to help as many others as I can.
How's Venezuela doing these days under him though? Some say it's great, some say it's bad.
Trolling again?
Nobody is UNDER Chavez.
Venezuela is not a fascist plutocracy like the US.
People (especially on this forum) idealize Chavez and Achmedinjad simply because they are against the US...the fact that they are dictatorial and border fachism themselves doesn't seem to matter much...
Wait, wasn't Chavez trying to court Kim Jong of North Korea too! Another amazing role model leader that has millions of people bordering starvation!
The only thing that seems to matter is that these two dare to defy the United States - wow, I'm so impressed! (rolling eyes up!)
Get back in your lamp!
the fact that the USA itself is all but in name a FASCIST CORPORATE state already -- that runs around the world invading and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries for their resources --
seems to BOTHER americans not much at all -- at least those that take issue with criticisms by the likes of chavez.....
it doesn't seem to bother certain americans that Ahmedinejad likes to remind the USA that america has PLENTY to apologize to IRAN for:
arming and supporting the DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN - to go to WAR against IRAN - crossing iran's borders -- JUST BECAUSE iran had found itself to have only one other option in the 1980's :
to become theocratic as a RESULT of the USA's OWN support and arming of the VERY VERY BRUTAL FASCIST dictator Shah of Iran for nearly 30 years -
AFTER the USA had its CIA destabilized the highly DEMOCRATIC and very educated nation of IRAN in 1953 JUST BECAUSE IRAN's very well-loved and respected Prime Minister Mossadegh
TOLD AMERICAN OIL COMPANIES :
"The oil and gas and treasures of Iran BELONG TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE".......
it doesn't seem to BOTHER some americans........that if USA is being criticized -- it is BECAUSE it has run around the globe STEALING other countries' resources. and leaving their people's economies and lives undermined in what really amounts to a RAPE of other nations.
Iran and Israel are both bad regimes. But, the US could serve as honest broker only if it stopped bombing, invading, and occupying other nations. And, of course, stop supplying Israel with the weapons it uses to kill its neighbors.
Chavez' critiques of the US are rational and right on, if excessively bellicose. But, who wouldn't be as bellicose ( besides Christ ) if you had been subjected to a temporarily successful coup (yes, please view The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. See http://enemyartistkristofer.blogspot.com, posted at 1:34pm (thank you, enemyart), Lily films, or, it might still be on venezuelanalysis., a general strike/lockout and a referendum, all engineered by the woefully misnamed National Endowment For Democracy, the IRI, the USAID, and CIA.
Yes, Morales is a great leader. He rode a great indigenous movement sparked by the historic water protest at Cochabama. Chavez' presence has helped to make Morales more palatable to the west. The same goes for the new leaders of Ecuador, Paraguay, Nicaragua, and recently, long-suffering El Salvador.
But, make no mistake, the same sinister forces mentioned above, starting with the NED, continue in their work to destabilize all of these governments and probabaly Argentina. Contact Obama at Whitehouse.gov and tell him that these practices paid for by hardstrapped USan taxpayers must cease!
You're ALMOST TOTALLY correct...Your only error: to group Iran with the Israelis...Iran occupies its own territory, while the Israelis occupy land belonging to the indigenous people of Palestine...Iran is NOT comitting genocide, while the Israelis in Palestine are comitting war crimes and crimes against humanity to satisfy their thirst for more land...land that DOES NOT belong to the chosen ones...lol...
The Iranian regime is messed up in that it executes women, men and elderly people to satisfy a thirst for retribution. The Israeli regime creates a concentration camp where the Palestinians are expected to fester forever...in their "logic".
Iran is NOT the best example of a democracy...far from that. The Israelis blow the Iranians away in terms of violations of human rights and war crimes, though...let's keep the record TRUE...
Amir
Chavez has made Morales more "palatable"?
Is this another one of those "The only good indian is a dead indian" posts?
Comparing Iran to Israel is like comparing the dealer on the corner to Pablo Escobar.
Chavez speaks the truth, a legally elected leader of the Venezuelan people, as is Lula of Brazil, two countries that haven't invaded a foreign nation in more than 100 years.
Obama on the other hand is a war criminal and a mass-murderer, the fuehrer of a decaying empire that has invaded and/or illegally interfered in more than 60 countries in the last 60 years, an unprecedented, shameful, inhuman and homicidal record.
Obama is also a proven liar. He lied about ending the war, about helping working families, about bringing about "change" in Washington. It's the empire business as usual under Obusha.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a dictator, yes, but Iran hasn't invaded another nation in a long, long time either. The only war it had to fight recently was the one orchestrated by the US itself and his puppet Hussein. Hussein was a dictator too, but America didn't have a problem with him until he decided he didn't want to be a puppet anymore. American hypocrisy of monumental proportions always on display.
The president of Iran is not a dictator.
He was democratically elected.
HOWEVER, the ayatollahs are still the final bastion of power in Iran.