Chavez Seeks "Rational" Relations With US

(AP)  President Hugo Chavez said Saturday he hopes to "reset" relations with the United States at an upcoming summit.

Despite recent criticism of President Barack Obama, Chavez said he wants to bring relations between the two governments back to a "rational level."

"I'll be willing to press the reset button," he said in a telephone call to Venezuelan state television from Iran. "I hope that will be the policy of President Obama."

Venezuela's relations with Washington grew increasingly strained under former President George W. Bush - reaching a low point in September, when Chavez expelled the U.S. ambassador and withdrew Venezuela's envoy to Washington. His visit to Iran is part of an effort to build ties with other countries at odds with the U.S.

The socialist leader last month called Obama "ignorant" after the U.S. president accused Chavez of "exporting terrorism" and being an obstacle to progress in Latin America.

But Chavez said Saturday that the April 17-19 Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago could "be the place to reset all types of relations between the United States and Venezuela."

Chavez employed the "reset" metaphor that U.S. officials have been using to describe their efforts for better relations with Russia after years of tension under the Bush administration.

Chavez said he's waiting for signals that Obama is willing to take similar steps with Venezuela. Chavez said that he'll have some questions for the new U.S. leader when they finally meet.

"Somebody needs to ask him what his vision is for the crisis that's weighing terribly on Latin America," he said.

"It would be good to see if something happens with Posada Carriles," he added. "If the blockade against Cuba will persist."

Venezuela has said it plans to reactivate an extradition request for Luis Posada Carriles, a former CIA operative accused of plotting the 1976 bombing of a Cuban passenger plane that killed all 73 people.

During a televised news conference later Saturday, Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad railed against the G-20 meeting held earlier this week in London. Ahmadinejad said the Group of 20 industrial and developing countries wants to continue on the same path that led the world into the economic crisis.

"It's a total failure," the Iranian president said.

Iran's state television reported that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Chavez for breaking ties with Israel in January to protest its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Iranian television reported that the two countries signed agreements on economic, energy and consular affairs during Chavez's trip.

[speakinup]

The only rational relationship I want with hugo is the one where he puts a gun to his own head and pulls the trigger.

[toolmangler-2009]

Hugo, Eat oil!!! I remember another 'Hugo' that affected America in 1989, It was a big wind also!!!!

[antoniof123]

"I'll be willing to press the reset button," he said in a telephone call to Venezuelan state television from Iran. "I hope that will be the policy of President Obama."

Translation:

The price of oil fell so much and now all the promises that I made are not going to come throgh so I am in big trouble with the people because I wasted my money on weapons instead of infrastructer thinking the the flow of money would never end.

If I don't get some help soon in a few months things will be bad in my country and they will blame me including the military.

Moral of the story:

Don't shoot your mouth off and don't burn bridges you may need to cross over them in the future.

Good luck Hugo you are going to need it.

LOL>>>>

[bajajohn1]

American, good....go work in the fields.

[bajajohn1]

We are still a military superpower. If some claim we are weak and laughable it is because Fricus Bush and Fracus Cheney destroyed America in eight years of unenlighented misadventures. While Rome burned, Fricus and Fracus played with each other.

[whitemale08]

President Hugo Chavez is the most popular president in Venezuelan history and that's because he rejects the British idea of 'free trade' and 'globalization' which leaves Latin American countries and African looted and destroyed beyond belief.

The crisis is actually an awakening by the rest of the world that the Anglo-American financial power is broken down and was all 'smoke and mirrors' of worthless toxic derivatives and credit-default swaps.

Actually Hugo Chavez is doing President Obama a favor because as this awakening continues, then we will soon be seeking co-operation with these countries that produce that natural resources and labor we consume.

[johndevinejr]

you are either in love with palin or afraid of her
Posted by jwind1 at 9:29 AM : Apr 5, 2009

Personally I LOVE PALIN. If I were religious I would pray every night that the republican party chooses her as their candidate in 2012.

PLEASE, PLEASE pick her, she is so smart and honest and down to earth.

[johndevinejr]

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

We should be talking to all countries, even if we know them to be liars.

[babooph]

Poor Hugo -no longer dealing with a weak idiot-he likely heard the talk of easing off fossil fuels .

[mrzerato]

Chavez Seeks "Rational" Relations With US
Despite Recent Criticisms, Venezuelan Leader Says He Wants To "Press The Reset Button"

I hope Chavez becomes rational before he starts talking again.