Hugo Chavez Frias in Harlem: I would like a US president that is a friend

Sep 22
by Patrick J. O'Donoghue
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias says he fears the US government will kick out Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez.

Speaking at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Harlem (NY), Chavez Frias has told an audience of African-American and Native-American indigenous groups that he would love to have a US president as a friend.

* "A president who would be a friend, State Governor friends and Mayor friends ... we aren't enemies of the USA ... we are friends of the USA that you represent ... we want to seek roads of cooperation, friendship and full cultural and educational exchange."

However, Chavez Frias has made it clear that he does not like Americans that make war and kill persons ... "they are not good Americans."

What the Venezuelan President says he would like to see is an energy agreement with the USA.

Most of the media have highlighted the Venezuelan President's unfortunate calling Bush an alcoholic, which has not gone down well at all in the sensitive US civil sector.

The Harlem meeting was the kick- start of Venezuela's cheap heating- oil program for poorer sectors of US society.

Returning to his Christian roots and clarifying his use of the Devil image during his UN speech, Chavez Frias has told the Mount Olive congregation that at times the Devil takes on a human form and there are "persons who act like devils and to confront them, we must hold high Jesus Christ and our dignity."

"Yesterday I said he (Bush) was a Devil and I believe he is a devil ... last night I told myself to watch out because they could kill me ... I'm in God's hands and am not afraid ... God knows what's going to happen ... only God knows."