Chavez Vows To 'Stand By Iran'

[ECH1969]

Anti-U.S. leaders Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad met in Tehran on Saturday, pledging mutual support for one another, state media reported.

Chavez' two-day visit came as Iran faces renewed international criticism for its nuclear program and as a backer of Hezbollah guerrillas, engaged in fighting with Israel since they captured two Israeli soldiers July 12.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council on Friday reached a deal on a resolution that would give Iran until the end of August to suspend uranium enrichment or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions.

Following talks, Chavez pledged that his country would "stay by Iran at any time and under any condition," state television reported.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/29/world/main1847331.shtml

[Demeter]

1. Oil Embargo, Here We Come

See how the shoe fits, America. Truly the end of Empire, and the return of Nixon's Comeuppance---nothing clears a man out of office like two mile long lines at the gas pumps.

[mom cat]

5. Actually, Iran ruled out an embargo yesterday.

[Demeter]

6. And You Believe That?

Look Everybody! An Optimist!


I thought you guys were all extinct!

[mom cat]

22. No, just a cynical realist. They LOVE the new oil prices.

[Subdivisions]

42. Yeah, but...

they can make that up in India and China while they crush our economy.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. I hope that he means being against military action/sanctions against Iran.

Given his penchant for bombastic rhetoric, that's probably what it means.

[rosesaylavee]

3. So much for thinking

Chavez was a thinking individual. Only two reasons he is allied with "I'm mad in the head": oil and his hatred of *co. And I bet more the latter than anything.

Textbook illustration of hatred breeding hatred.

[Yupster]

4. What a maroon

He's going to commit the people of Venezuala to the actions of the Iranian Revolutionary government?

How's that taking care of the interests of his people.

Iran could end up fighting a war with Israel, or India, or Turkey, or Russia, or Pakistan, or the USA. And Venezuala should be committed to being allied with them?

Makes no sense for the interests of the people of Venezuala.

[Demeter]

7. Actually, This Makes A Lot of Sense

Nobody said it was a lifetime commitment. But putting pressure on the US is what both prties have in mind. I doubt that the alliance extends to boots on the ground--Venezuela is not an Imperial wannabe. It is the economic power they wield.

[Tight_rope]

38. No shit...They can always get a damn divorce if things don't work out!

[fujiyama]

24. I don't see Iran

fighting a war with most of those countries you listed. The only real possibilities are Israel and the US. Remember, Russia is helping them build a nuclear plant and has not agreed to sanctions. India referred them to the SC in their IAEA vote, but it took a LOT of US arm twisting. Both India and Pakistan are dependant on foreign oil, so neither will back a war against Iran. I don't see any major conflict breaking out with Turkey either, unless perhaps they give the US and/or Irsraeli military their airspace in the chance of a war or aerial bombing.

That said, I don't like Ahmedenijad and I'm disappointed by Chavez. Personally I think it's incompetance on the part of the US to alienate Chavez the way they have, but that sort of behavior is expected from this administration. I'm not clear on what sort of alliance they are building, but it could be a clever plan displaying expanding Chinese ambitions in the Western Hemisphere. After all, it's also been reported that Venezuela has been getting closer to China as well.

Either way, it shows that if the US (or Israel or that matter) decides to attack Iran, aside from the human cost, the economic cost will be disasterous. e.

[EFerrari]

8. I'd like to see what Chavez actually said because I've noticed

that in general it is spun by our supine media to sound as crazy as possible. I'll see what I can dig up and post it if I find it.

If we're going to damn the guy, let's be sure to damn him for what he said and not for how his words are spun, all right? :)

[Joanne98]

13. He's there for bi-lateral trade talks. Doha failed. But the fascist

media doesn't explain those things to "the good Germans".

[EFerrari]

14. No, they never do or they wouldn't cash their check. I've an email

into the Venezuela Info Office, a gov site that can provide a transcript. They may not be open until Monday anyway. :)

[Judi Lynn]

25. Thanks for your effort. Some of us learned long ago how much clout the

right-wing American Presidents wield in our propaganda-laced reading material, going back a very long way.

It's not as if they haven't been caught on it, and as if it hasn't been discussed openly forever.

Awareness teaches people not to swallow everything the read without thinking it over, and without looking for additional information.

[Vidar]

9. I support Chavez, but this could backfire badly.

[Joey Liberal]

10. I used to admire Chavez, but .........

Chavez is looking more and more like a lunatic.

[EFerrari]

15. That's because you keep reading and reading the American press.

:)

[kitty1]

56. The same could be said for "Is this mike on" Bush

[Joanne98]

11. Both countries belong to OPEC! This is business as usual....

Because the Doha talks have failed there will be a lot of bi-lateral trade talks. But I suppose Chavez will be demonized for doing what everyone else is.

[Skink]

12. Next thing you know he'll be developing Nuclear power.

What is it with these resource rich Countries? They only want to sell off their resources to enrich the country while moving towards sustainable energy.
What kind off policy is that.

[EFerrari]

17. Crazy leftists, all of them.

lol

[killbotfactory]

16. Oil, Economics and Anti-imperialism

Bilateral trade last year between Iran and Venezuela was valued at approximately US$1 billion. Iranian investment in Venezuela includes a production line for tractors and several housing projects.

During his visit, Chavez was to inaugurate the new Venezuelan embassy in Tehran and meet Iranian business leaders. He was also to tour Iran-Khodro, Iran's giant public sector automobile manufacturer. The leaders and top officials were expected to sign memorandums of understanding in various fields.

Iranian state television reported that Chavez was also to meet Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"We do not have any limitation in cooperation," Ahmedinejad was quoted as saying. "Iran and Venezuela are next to each other and supporters of each other. Chavez is a source of a progressive and revolutionary current in South America and his stance in restricting imperialism is tangible."

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/07/29/chavez.iran.ap/

[junior college]

18. I don't blame the guy

for looking for allies wherever he can find them. We have this alliance now because of Bush agression. The chimp has already tried to overthrow Chavez's government by supporting a coup against him. If we weren't stuck in Iraq we'd probably be firing missles into residential buildings in Caracas.

[MGKrebs]

21. I don't blame him either .

The US (Bush) is probably a much bigger threat to Venezuela than Iran ever will be.

[newyawker99]

23. Hi junior college!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Judi Lynn]

26. Don't think Bush'll give up until he is, god willing, not the pResident

any longer. You've no doubt noted the constant stream of threats belching out of _Bush's administration toward Hugo Chavez since they first stole office.

They won't be giving up, ever.
Welcome to D.U., junior college!

[anotherdrew]

19. he's right exactly where we drove him.

if we'd drop the bellicose bullshit this could all stop with some gestures toward sanity by our leadership, instead bush is building a serious anti-us bloc where one need not have developed.

[VegasWolf]

20. Chavez pissing all over Bush's pants legs. Bush can't get no respect.nt

[gulliver]

27. Which is this: opportunity, progress, or victory?

I guess we'll have to wait for Bush's next news conference to see what they decide to call it.

[Judi Lynn]

28. It would be good to hear the original poster's thoughts on Hugo Chavez

in one of the threads he starts on the Venezuelan President.

[Judi Lynn]

29. You know the article is going right into the dumper when it starts out

this way:

(AP) Anti-U.S. leaders Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad met in Tehran on Saturday, pledging mutual support for one another, state media reported.
(snip)

Hugo Chavez was NEVER called "anti-U.S." during the time Bill Clinton was the U.S. President and Chavez was also the Venezuelan President. IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

When an article's FIRST ####in' WORDS are "Anti-U.S." then you have to be intelligent enough to realize you are reading spin.

[Raydawg1234]

31. Don't you remember, if you are not with us, you are against us.

[geek tragedy]

53. He is unambiguously anti-US. Or perhaps him calling

for the rest of the world to unite against the "American empire" doesn't get construed as anti-US in his amen corner around here.

[Judi Lynn]

30. Russia Arming Venezuela in Anticipation of an Expected U.S. Invasion?

Russia Arming Venezuela in Anticipation of an Expected U.S. Invasion?

by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya

July 29, 2006
GlobalResearch.ca

The Russian Federation and Venezuela on July 27, 2006 have negotiated and approved the sale of 24 aircraft and 53 helicopters—about a $1 billion (U.S.) deal—to Venezuela, as part of an ongoing landmark event, defying the American threats and demands to halt all weapons transfers and any future deals between Russia and Venezuela. Russia has already supplied and started delivering portions of a 100,000 Kalashnikov automatic rifles ordered by Venezuela and Russian attack helicopters to Venezuela. This deal has further entrenched Russian-Venezuelan cooperation, partnership, and the strategic shift of Russia replacing the United States as the military hardware supplier of Venezuela. The securing of this military hardware agreement between Russia and Venezuela is a sign of the fermenting geo-strategic confrontation or rivalry between the Russia and the United States.

The United States slapped the weapons embargo onto Venezuela referring as justification to the strategic partnerships and alliances of Venezuela with Iran and Cuba. The U.S. weapons embargo on Venezuela started in May, 2006, and has including the U.S. putting pressure on Spain and Brazil to halt their agreements to supply military equipment to Venezuela. Venezuela has responded that the U.S. embargo is illegitimate in violation of previous agreements between Venezuela and the United States, and based on a premise for an American offensive against Venezuela.

Venezuelan Army and Naval aircraft are almost all totally American manufactured, while the Venezuelan Air Force, with the most significant air fleet out of the three forces, had 177 U.S. manufactured aircraft out of a total fleet of 277 aircraft prior to the major military purchases from Russia. Venezuela has traditionally purchased its weaponry from the United States. Venezuela in 2005, alone, purchased about $34 (U.S.) million worth of U.S. military equipment. It is significant to note that just $30.5 (U.S.) million of these purchases were C-130 cargo plane spare parts.

The American embargo seems to be a deliberate tactic that is part of strategy to disarm Venezuela, a notable source of fossil fuels and an influential state in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Venezuelan military’s F-5 Freedom Fighters, F-16 Falcons, C-130 cargo planes and American attack helicopters would for all practical purposes eventually be neutralized. That is why Venezuela immediately sought other defence manufacturers, which ultimately resulted in Russia replacing the United States in equipping the Venezuelan military.
(snip/...)

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20060729&articleId=2854

[ozone_man]

32. While the U.S. is distracted

in Iraq is a good time to shore up defenses for when the U.S. turns their sights on Venezuela's oil. Having oil contracts with China is more good insurance against an invasion. They own a lot of our debt.

[Barkley]

33. VZ. may join the Security Council in October...

and I can't wait!

I hope he make Bush and Bolton look dumber than the already are.

[Judi Lynn]

34. Interesting article on U.S. meddling in Venezuela:

Use of a Private U.S. Corporate Structure to Disguise a Government Program

Venezuela: Some Examples of the Current U.S. Intervention Against the Bolivarian Revolution
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=8709

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How many countries do you imagine are using their taxpayers' money to manipulate our population's lives, attempting to control our government, buying support from opposition parties within the United States?

[Judi Lynn]

35. Kick!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Judi Lynn]

36. Bicycle and oil deals cement Chavez's ties to Iran

Bicycle and oil deals cement Chavez's ties to Iran
Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:06pm ET

By Alireza Ronaghi

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez enveloped his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a bear hug on Sunday and the two men backed their anti-U.S. rhetoric with deals on everything from bicycles to oil.

In a typically verbose speech, robust ex-paratrooper Chavez lambasted their common enemy, Washington.

"If the U.S. empire succeeds in establishing its dominance, there will be no future for humanity. Therefore we should save humanity and end the American empire," Chavez told a crowd at the University of Tehran.
(snip)

http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-07-30T180540Z_01_OLI062252_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAN-VENEZUELA.xml&WTmodLoc=Home-C5-worldNews-9

[Marie26]

37. Is this an actual military alliance? nt

[Judi Lynn]

41. What have you heard that we haven't? Military alliance? n/t

[Marie26]

43. Nothing

I'm just wondering. We hear that they're "standing by" each other, & signing oil deals, and pledging to work together. So are they allies?

[Judi Lynn]

44. As you may have seen other posters write in earlier threads,

the two countries have been allied by common interests for many years, going back long before Hugo Chavez was the President.

[Marie26]

45. OK

I guess what I was just wondering is if there's a military alliance between the two countries. Meaning - if one country was attacked, would the other join the war as well?

[killbotfactory]

47. No.

There is no military alliance.

[Marie26]

50. Thanks! nt

[dasmarian]

39. Maybe he's looking to use his new airplanes. N/T

[Judi Lynn]

48. He could use his old ones Venezuela PAID FOR YEARS AGO,

before he even got there, if _Bush hadn't cut off his access to the replacement parts needed to keep them going.

[slackmaster]

40. Uh-oh, I hear a country music spoof coming on...

:nuke:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

46. "Anti-US?"

Anti-Bush.

[Judi Lynn]

49. Bush is anti-U.S. n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

55. Bush is pro-Bush.

[Megahurtz]

51. Gee, I just can't imagine why our Country looks like idiots

to all the world.:sarcasm:

[Threedifferentones]

52. If he were a true socialist

he wouldn't make friends with religous whackjobs. If Iran were as powerful as the U.S., it would need to be "destroyed to save the human race." Its government certainly isn't any better than ours.

[Sretto]

54. IS it possible?

That Jugo and his friend in Iran are both retarded?