[NYTr] Chavez Warns US Latin Amer Will Meet Aggression w/Vietnam-Style Guerrilla War

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

AP via Intl Herald Tribune - September 9, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/09/america/LA-GEN-Venezuela-US.php


Venezuela's Chavez Says US Aggression Would Meet with Vietnam-Style
Guerrilla Wars 

CARACAS, Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez warned Washington on Sunday
that Latin Americans across the hemisphere would wage Vietnam-style
guerrilla wars if the U.S. attempts to topple his leftist allies in the
region.

Flanked by Bolivian President Evo Morales, Chavez cautioned against an
alleged U.S.-backed plot aimed at toppling the Bolivian leader, saying,
"I know that they are conspiring to try to remove him from power, even
kill him."

Chavez, who has accused the U.S. of plotting against him and Morales
before, did not elaborate or provide evidence of the alleged plot. U.S.
officials have repeatedly rejected his claims that Washington is trying
to oust Latin American leaders.

"If the U.S. empire violently attacks our people using its lackeys in
these countries, here in Venezuela or there in Bolivia, they must be
aware that we will not remain with our arms crossed," Chavez said
during his weekly radio and television program "Hello President."

Borrowing an anti-imperialist phrase from Cuba's revolutionary hero
Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Chavez said: "If that occurs, we will shout with
Che Guevara and then one, two, three, four, five or 10 Vietnams will
have to be created in Latin America."

Since taking office in 1999, Chavez has emerged as Latin America's most
outspoken critic of U.S. foreign policy while forging strong ties with
Washington foes such as Syria, Iran and communist-led Cuba.

Although U.S. officials argue Chavez poses a threat to democracy in the
region, they say Washington is pushing for a pragmatic approach to
relations that would acknowledge political differences while allowing
progress in areas such as anti-drug cooperation.

Chavez also said he is willing to travel to rebel-controlled territory
in neighboring Colombia to meet with the commander of the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, as he seeks to broker a prisoner
exchange between the guerrillas and the government.

Among about 45 prominent hostages held by the rebels are three U.S.
defense contractors and former presidential candidate Ingrid
Betancourt, a French-Colombian citizen.

"I'm willing to go into the deepest part of the largest jungle to talk
with Marulanda," Chavez said. "I have faith that we will succeed.
Nobody said it would be easy."