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Last update - 17:11 30/08/2006 Chavez: Syria, Venezuela to 'build new world' free of U.S. control By The Associated Press Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that he and Syria would "build a new world" free of U.S. domination. "We have decided to be free. We want to cooperate to build a new world where states' and people's self-determination are respected," Chavez said after a 2 1/2-hour meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad at his presidential palace in Damascus. "Imperialism's concern is to control the world, but we will not let them despite the pressure and aggression," the Venezuelan leader said, speaking through an interpreter. Advertisement Speaking at Damascus airport on his arrival late Tuesday, Chavez said both countries agreed to stand up to the United States. "We have the same political vision and we will resist together the American imperialist aggression," he said. Pictures of Chavez and Assad lined the streets of downtown Damascus, and Chavez drove through a sea of thousands of Syrians waving banners and Venezuelan flags en route to his meeting with Assad. The two leaders strolled down a red carpet leading into the People's Palace, alongside a 21-gun salute. A marching band played both national anthems as they reviewed the honor guard. Assad said he won Chavez's support for Syria and the Palestinians. "The stance of President Chavez is known and we heard it today: support for Syria in regaining its occupied territories and support for the Palestinian people in achieving their national rights and the establishment an independent state, in addition to the desire to help Lebanon in the postwar period," Assad said at a news conference with Chavez. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war, and Syria still considers the strategic plateau Israeli-occupied. Assad said Syria and Venezuela agree that there should be a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops from Iraq. He also said Damascus supports Caracas' candidacy to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2007-8. With Chavez and Assad looking on, delegates from the two countries signed a total of 13 political and economic agreements. Assad greeted Chavez at the airport Tuesday night and thanked him for his support for Middle Eastern nations. He told reporters he saw Chavez's visit as "historic," and that the Venezuelan leader had made "great stands" in support of Arab causes. "We appreciate your sincere feelings toward the peoples who have their rights and are under occupation, as well as your sincere humanitarian and moral sentiments," Assad was quoted as saying through an interpreter. Chavez said he and Syria shared a "decisive and firm" stance against "imperialism" and American attempts for "domination." Chavez has built close ties with Iran, Syria and other Mideast countries while his relations have grown tense with the U.S. and Israel. Earlier this month, he compared Israel Defense Forces attacks on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to the Holocaust and withdrew Venezuela's ambassador to Israel. Israel responded by recalling its ambassador to Venezuela, criticizing what it called Chavez's "one-sided policy" and "wild slurs." Asked about Chavez's visit to Syria, U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the Venezuelan leader should remind Damascus about its international obligations to prevent Hezbollah from receiving weapons. He cited a 2004 UN resolution that called for the disarmament of all guerrillas in Lebanon and the Aug. 14 cease-fire resolution that called for an arms embargo against Hezbollah. Israel accuses Syria of supplying arms to the Lebanese militia. "We think what's important for anyone having discussions with the Syrian government to do is to emphasize the need for Syria to meet its international obligations," Casey said. "And that includes complying with its long-standing obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1559, as well as the additional ones placed upon it in Resolution 1701." Syrian state-run newspapers on Wednesday hailed Chavez's visit. An editorial in the Tishrin government paper called him a "brave man," and said his visit showed that Venezuelans and Syrians were "standing in one trench because their enemy is the same." "Damascus is receiving today a man of steadfastness... who stands in the face of huge challenges and says 'no' to U.S. policies and plans," it read. Chavez's visit provides "support and backing to the forces of justice, freedom and independence," read an editorial in the ruling Baath party's newspaper. Bookmark to del.icio.us   In the line of fire Rights Group: Over 50% of Gaza casualties weren't militants. Uncle Sam blames you U.S. blames Hamas for sparking violence in south Israel, Gaza.   1.   Hats off! 09:03  |  Hannah 30/08/06   2.   Chavez my Ez 09:07  |  Brad 30/08/06   3.   to brad 09:22  |  marc 30/08/06   4.   3: Brad, talk about getting it mixed up 09:32  |  David Teich 30/08/06   5.   Bush - making it easy to hate America 09:34  |  Clickfool 30/08/06   6.   Viva Chavez 09:53  |  Roland 30/08/06   7.   Myths are falling .... 10:00  |  Gandhi 30/08/06   8.   Viva Chavez 10:46  |  Brigitte Meier 30/08/06   9.   Bravo Chavez 11:22  |  Lola 30/08/06   10.   Chavez an idiot ! 11:53  |  Loran 30/08/06   11.   ANOTHER MESHUGGE ON EARTH 11:54  |  BAO LAM 30/08/06   12.   And Syria is not a colonialist power? 12:45  |  geoffrey zygier 30/08/06   13.   Do you really know Chavez? 12:47  |  Guilherme 30/08/06   14.   read 12:56  |  Jane Trote 30/08/06   15.   good for chaves 12:57  |  nasser 30/08/06   16.   to Ghandi 13:33  |  ae 30/08/06   17.   Before we congratulate Chavez 13:46  |  Aviv 30/08/06   18.   Long Live Chavez 14:06  |  Juan 30/08/06   19.   Chavez - is one sick man - only driven by hatred of the US 14:10  |  Michael 30/08/06   20.   To Loran from new Europe 14:17  |  Mark B. 30/08/06   21.   Brigitte 14:23  |  Bostonian 30/08/06   22.   Oil driven economies 14:39  |  Gili 30/08/06   23.   # 10 Loran 15:05  |  Save the World 30/08/06   24.   God bless Chavez - the world is crying for such a great leader 15:11  |  Isaac Hassen 30/08/06   25.   Gili & oil alternatives 15:49  |  Ronald McDonald 30/08/06   26.   Chavez and his trek to infintility 15:52  |  Sal 30/08/06   27.   @22 Gili form Canada 15:59  |  Jeroen 30/08/06   28.   Opposed, but for what exactly ? 16:12  |  Sean 30/08/06   29.   I agree with # 13 16:15  |  anny 30/08/06   30.   #12, Geoffrey 16:35  |  Hannah 30/08/06   31.   There is his place... 17:04  |  Bagamiash inmata 30/08/06   32.   Chavez, who has survived three 17:30  |  Mark Lincoln 30/08/06   33.   RE #8 17:31  |  WAKE UP! 30/08/06   34.   Lunatics! 17:36  |  jp 30/08/06   35.   HOW ABOUT THIS? 17:37  |  Messaoud 30/08/06   36.   Unleash Mossad And The CIA! 17:44  |  Sam The Sham 30/08/06   37.   Chavez/CITGO 17:44  |  R. Mateles 30/08/06   38.   #35: Messaoud 17:53  |  john 30/08/06   39.   Chavez from a Latin America perspective 18:14  |  Luis 30/08/06   40.   #34, jp 18:19  |  Hannah 30/08/06   41.   Chavez, bigger problem than we think 18:24  |  Avi 30/08/06   42.   and furthermore.......... 18:47  |  Ronald McDonald 30/08/06   43.   to anny 20:38  |  ae 30/08/06   44.   Total destruction for Venezuela 20:47  |  R 30/08/06   45.   Bravo Chavez - Messaoud absolutely right 21:01  |  Observer 30/08/06   46.   chavez 22:33  |  William 30/08/06   47.   CHAVEZ:SYRIA,VENEZUELA 22:54  |  JUDY 30/08/06   48.   Great Leader by Example 15:28  |  humtake 31/08/06   49.   # 46 22:22  |  Nina 03/03/08   50.   #8 22:23  |  nina 03/03/08   51.   # 11 22:28  |  nina 03/03/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Immoral solutions for Gaza - a guide Responses: 13 Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran not enough Responses: 40 Obama says United States should not meet with Hamas Responses: 58 Nehemia Shtrasler: There is no way out but to talk to Hamas Responses: 20 Researcher: Moses was tripping at Mount Sinai Responses: 71 Rosner's Domain What to Read: What was Samantha Power thinking? Rosner: Obama, Clinton aides court hawkish Jews in Ohio Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as Ohio primary nears Obama`s top adviser says doesn't believe in imposing a peace settlement Politics with an elliptical soccer ball More Headlines 11:58 Rice, in Egypt: Hamas trying to wreck peace process 11:10 IAF strike kills two Gaza militants; Qassam rocket damages Sderot home 03:02 Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran not enough 04:15 Olmert: All military options for Gaza are on the table 11:48 UN's Ban: Israel says Hezbollah has 30,000 rockets in S. Lebanon 09:14 Young Russian Jews say 'Da' to Birthright, but 'Nyet' to aliyah 09:16 Researcher: Moses was tripping at Mount Sinai 09:36 Fatah man loses children in IDF raid, but Hamas won't let him bury them 00:00 Haaretz journalist Ehud Asheri dies of cancer at 57 04:56 Barak seeks legal okay to move Gazan civilians from homes 01:52 Berlin to start sealing cracks in Holocaust memorial slabs Previous Editions Select Day 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb

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