NEW YORK — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday promised to double the amount of discounted heating oil his country is shipping to needy Americans, while also using his appearance at a Harlem church as an opportunity to deride President George W. Bush as an "alcoholic and a sick man."
Chavez's latest barb came a day after he captured the spotlight at the U.N. General Assembly during his speech in which he dubbed Bush "the devil" and accused Washington of "domination, exploitation and pillage of peoples of the world."
"He's an alcoholic and a sick man," Chavez said of Bush, receiving a round of applause from people in the crowd, which included actor Danny Glover, activists and other supporters.
Chavez's pledge of more discounted heating oil was made during his visit to Harlem's Mount Olive Baptist Church where supporters chanted his name:
Bush has acknowledged that he had a drinking problem when he was young, but gave it up 20 years ago. In a physical exam last month, his doctor said the president enjoys an occasional cigar, gets his caffeine from diet sodas and coffee, and reports no usage of alcohol.
The Venezuelan leader also called Bush's policies in Iraq criminal, adding he hopes Americans will before long "awaken" and elect a better president.
He said that while he opposes Bush, the American people "are our friends."
Chavez's comments on Bush during Wednesday's speech drew a rebuke from several Bush administration officials. On Thursday, Rep. Charles Rangel, one of several Democrats in Congress who have welcomed the Venezuelan program to provide discounted oil to low-income communities in their districts, weighed in with his objections.
"I want to express my extreme displeasure with statements by the president of Venezuela attacking U.S. President George Bush in such a personal and disparaging way during his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly," Rangel said in Washington, adding that "any demeaning public attack against him is viewed by Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, as an attack on all of us."
"Venezuela's generosity to the poor, however, should not be interpreted as license to attack President Bush. Those who take issue with Bush Administration policies have no right to attack him personally," said Rangel, adding that it was also "not helpful when President Bush referred to certain nations as an 'axis of evil'."
That reference was directed at Iran, North Korea and Irraq under former President Saddam Hussein.
At the Harlem church, Chavez announced that Citgo, the U.S.-based refining arm of the Venezuela's state-run oil company, plans to more than double the amount of heating oil it is making available under the program to 100 million gallons (378.5 million liters) this winter, up from 40 million gallons (151 million liters).
He said the heating oil will reach people in 18 states, including Indians from Alaska, some of whom were flown to New York for the ceremony and attended in traditional dress.
Chavez started the program last winter, accusing Bush of neglecting the poor. The United States continues to be the top buyer of Venezuelan oil, bringing the South American country billions of dollars in earnings that help fund Chavez's popular social programs.
He repeated his warning that if the U.S. government tries to oust him, Venezuela would halt oil sales to the United States. Chavez said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's position is the same.
"If that were to happen, the price of oil could reach US$200 a barrel," Chavez said, adding that he'd like to see a U.S. president "who you could talk with."
source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/21/america/NA_GEN_US_Venezuela_Chavez.php 21sep2006
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