Chavez rejects US 'threats' on Iran ties
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
HAVANA, Dec 14 (AFP): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rejected Sunday the top US diplomat's "threats" on the consequences of Latin American ties with Iran, blasting Hillary Clinton's remarks as an "imperial offensive."
"Mrs Clinton's statements (are) like a threat above all against Venezuela and Bolivia... They are the clear signs of an imperial offensive seeking to stop the advancement of progressive forces, and regain its back yard," Chavez told reporters in Havana.
The firebrand leftist leader, long a thorn in Washington's side, made his comments at an ALBA summit of leftist Latin American leaders in communist Cuba.
Clinton warned Latin American countries on Friday to "think twice" about fostering ties with Iran because of its alleged support for terror amid the Islamic republic's growing presence and warming relations in the region.
Western powers have been at loggerheads with Iran over its nuclear programme for years, claiming Tehran is covering up an effort to develop nuclear weapons, while the Islamic republic claims it is simply developing nuclear energy for peaceful, civilian purposes.
In a sign of Iran's push for closer ties with the mostly leftist governments thriving at the doorstep of the United States, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil last month.
"Mrs Clinton's statements (are) like a threat above all against Venezuela and Bolivia... They are the clear signs of an imperial offensive seeking to stop the advancement of progressive forces, and regain its back yard," Chavez told reporters in Havana.
The firebrand leftist leader, long a thorn in Washington's side, made his comments at an ALBA summit of leftist Latin American leaders in communist Cuba.
Clinton warned Latin American countries on Friday to "think twice" about fostering ties with Iran because of its alleged support for terror amid the Islamic republic's growing presence and warming relations in the region.
Western powers have been at loggerheads with Iran over its nuclear programme for years, claiming Tehran is covering up an effort to develop nuclear weapons, while the Islamic republic claims it is simply developing nuclear energy for peaceful, civilian purposes.
In a sign of Iran's push for closer ties with the mostly leftist governments thriving at the doorstep of the United States, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil last month.