Article

2006-07-02 Africa Subsaharan

Chávez, Ahmadinejad Show Solidarity With Africa

A summit of African leaders opened Saturday with a special welcome for the presidents of Iran and Venezuela, each visiting the poorest continent to win support in disputes with the United States.

President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia hailed the presence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran at the summit of the 53-nation African Union as "a morale booster as well as an assurance that Africa can make it."

Ahmadinejad's visit was seen as an attempt to bolster his country in its standoff with the United States and Europe over its nuclear program. Ahmadinejad has made several highly publicized trips to Asia, where he drew crowds of Muslims cheering his country for defying the West.

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Chavez has backed Iran's controversial nuclear program, which the United States and the European Union want rolled back despite Iran's insistence that its intentions are peaceful.

"Doesn't Iran have the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful means?" Chavez said.

Chavez said his nation was "tired of being exploited by the American empire."

Richard Méndez, deputy head of mission at the Venezuelan Embassy in Ethiopia, said Venezuela was hoping for African support in its bid for one of the rotating seats on the U.N. Security Council, a proposal opposed by the United States.

But Mendez said that, more importantly, Chavez's appearance showed solidarity with Africa.

Leaders at the weekend summit are expected to address issues including the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, the rise of hard-line Islamic leadership in Somalia and Africans' often-deadly attempts to illegally migrate to Europe.

Even if the African Union passes resolutions, members are not held to them, and the body has little funding to pursue independent action.

Among African leaders confirmed to attend were Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Moammar Gaddafi of Libya, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya.

Posted by ryuge 2006-07-02 01:28|| || Front Page|| [11132 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Tha Chavezoo, Ahmadinnerjacket, ZimboBob combo is unbeatable! The NYT surrenders! (What a bunch of maroons) :)

Posted by Inspector Clueso 2006-07-02 01:41|| 2006-07-02 01:41|| Front Page Top

#2 As a continent, Africa should shut the hell up. They give us NOTHING, in return for our help they pull shit like this.

Posted by Thiper Uneling3933 2006-07-02 08:52|| 2006-07-02 08:52|| Front Page Top

#3 One of these days these folks are going to "show solidarity" themselves right out of US foreign aid.

I'll applaud that day when it comes and we tell the rest of the world to go f$%k themselves, withdraw all foreign aid, and start carrying the Big Stick (and actually using it to wack anyone stupid enough to dick with us).

Posted by FOTSGreg">FOTSGreg 2006-07-02 18:22|| www.fire-on-the-suns.com]">[www.fire-on-the-suns.com] 2006-07-02 18:22|| Front Page Top

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