A Friendly Gesture, But Not Exactly Friends

By: Dan Farber
Topics: World Watch

(Government of Venezuela)

On March 23, 2009, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez described President Obama as "ignorant," saying that he needs some schooling on Latin America. What a difference a few weeks makes. At the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad today, Chavez and Obama shook hands but didn't come out fighting.

According to CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller, Mr. Obama walked across the room and introduced himself to Mr. Chavez. Photos made available by the Venezuelan government show the two presidents smiling, and Obama touching Chavez's shoulder during their brief encounter. The Venezuelan press office said that Chavez told Obama, "With this same hand I greeted Bush eight years ago. I want to be your friend." The White House isn't commenting on the encounter.

The AP reported that Chavez characterized the meeting as follows: "We shook each other's hands like gentlemen, and it was predictable this would happen."

The recent changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba, such as lifting curbs on travel and money transfers, is contributing to a thawing effect, but don't expect Chavez's trash-talking to abate as he goes about resetting relations with the U.S. He gets a lot of mileage in his region from his anti-American stance and accusation that the U.S. is out to steal Venezuela's ample oil reserves.

Dan has more than 20 years of journalism experience. He has served as editor in chief of CBSNews.com, CNET News, ZDNet, PC Week, and MacWeek.
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by marinecwo2 April 20, 2009 10:25 AM EDT: If you think you can lead Americans around by the nose with flat out lies and posturizing, got news for ya!

It doesn't work that way!
Posted by Rowdy106 at 7:18 PM : Apr 18, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you serious????? Where have you been for Pres. Bush and his entire 8 year reign as King of the Idiots?????; Reply to this comment


by trueblueusa April 18, 2009 8:20 PM EDT: Respect Goes A Long Way,..If You show It:
You can expect to Receive it;
Shrub was (Is ) Not only Stupid
He`s Brazenly Condescending,...
Venezuela`s economy needs help
Chavez needs friends
Chavez may not be Real Sharp
But,he Knows when to pick his battles; Reply to this comment


by bradkt1 April 18, 2009 7:51 PM EDT: The United States and Venezuela used to be friends at one time. Gestures are very important in many parts of the world. It could be that this small gesture is more important to Venezuela than it is to the United States. Then again, maybe not. Only time will tell.

Those who say that it was wrong for President Obama to shake hands with President Chavez have nothing to offer other than a contnued exchange of insults between Venezuela and the United States...which may play well at home but do nothing to solve problems which exist between us. Look what a trade embargo and exchangining insults since Fidel Castro got us with Cuba...nothing! U.S. Presidents shook hands with the likes of Kruschev, Mao Tse-Tung and host of other dictators when it was in our interest to do so...and they had not stopped oppressing their own people when such gestures occurred. This will not make us less safe. Such gestures have to be followed up with diplomacy, of course...and that's the hard part...but it has to begin somewhere. There is nothing to be lost by trying and failing. Failure is guaranteed if we try nothing and "stay the course."; Reply to this comment


by PVperson2 April 18, 2009 6:05 PM EDT: JAMES, Cxa44 isn't sitting at home in his underwear, he's sitting at some library in his filthy, flea ridden clothes because he's a bum, why else would he go on about rat droppings in the stew at the shelter? He's the crazy old guy begging change on the corner.; Reply to this comment


by PVperson2 April 18, 2009 6:00 PM EDT: Ya know Steven, what's really sickening is that "America often sucks".; Reply to this comment


by mjinba07 April 18, 2009 12:37 PM EDT: Don't you folks have anything useful to say? Bashing each other here adds absolutely nothing.

Obama's giving us the chance to put our foreign relations on a better track.

Turbulent economies and environmental degradation all over the globe means that everyone is jockeying for power and resources. I wonder if we (U.S.) can navigate that in a fair and reasonable way and sustain a sensible way of life here.

Best of luck to us all.; Reply to this comment


by Cxa44 April 18, 2009 11:17 AM EDT: Posted by JAMESC2002 at 8:11 AM : Apr 18, 2009

The top tax bracket on Sim City doesn't count L.... :); Reply to this comment


by Cxa44 April 18, 2009 11:03 AM EDT: As a RepuliCon, you should not be calling anybody a loser.
Your party is FULL of losers.
Who can forget
Sarah, "I can see Russia from my house" Palin.
As far as that shelter you are staying at ....
CALL THE HEALTH DEPT!!!!!!!!!!!111
Posted by JAMESC2002 at 7:51 AM : Apr 18, 2009

Excuse me? We're the ones paying most of the taxes. Sponges like you, who sit at your computer all day, in your underwear, with your XBox on pause, are the TRUE losers. Wake up and smell reality, because those taxes Obama said he wasn't going to raise are going to eat up your food stamps faster :)

LOOOOOOOOOOOSER :); Reply to this comment


by Cxa44 April 18, 2009 10:45 AM EDT: On March 23, 2009, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez described President Obama as "ignorant,"

How True!
Posted by grabandgo at 7:05 AM : Apr 18, 2009

Your moose stew is burning.....again !
Posted by ioweign at 7:37 AM : Apr 18, 2009

Better than the Rat droppings in the stew, at the shelter, no one cares to tell you about :) You Liberal loser :); Reply to this comment


by Cxa44 April 18, 2009 10:42 AM EDT: Obama kissed Hugo's ring, but it was not shown on camera.; Reply to this comment

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