Editor's Comment: In the article that follows these comments, the Washington Post/Associated Press didn't bother to make mince meat out of President Chávez' response to the letter he received from Libyan Leader, Moammer Qadaffi with their usual attacks by inuendo and direct prevarications. I suppose that after villainizing Col. Qadaffi to the US public and supporting the US/French/English war on Libya, simply showing Chávez' support for Qadaffi would be enough, using the old guilt-by-association ruse. The problem with that tactic is that the WP and their ilk have already lost the international media war regarding Libya and Qadaffi and hopefully, the Libyan people will also defeat the invaders on-the-ground in this foolish and bloody war.

Imagine the response of empire if Venezuela were to organize a group of South American states to attack another soveriegn country for 'regime change' with an eye to it's natural resources, ostensibly to 'protect the civilians,' using a band of killers and thieves in that country, calling them 'rebels' and recognizing those local terrorists (as Chávez rightly called the renegade Libyan tribe) as a "National Transitional Council" and the rightful governing body of the invaded state. 

In fact, President Chávez did precisely the opposite when he refused to back the FARC in Colombia, citing their kidnapping of innocent civilians in their guerilla war against the government of Colombia - a government that has violated Venezuelan air space, committed terrorist acts against Venezuela, welcomed our imperialist enemy to build military bases just across the border and maligned President Chávez over the last decade. The Venezuelan government instead, opted to follow national and international law and a path of peaceful resistance and negotiation with the Colombian government, the fruits of which we recently witnessed in the Cartegena Accords.

Axis of Logic correspondent Brian Souter sent us this WP article, introducing it with these words:

"Chavez condemned NATO airstrikes in Libya and called the North African nation’s rebel National Transitional Council a “group of terrorists.” He questioned how the U.S. and European nations could recognize such a group, and asked what world powers would do if a similar rebellion were to erupt in Spain or the United States."

Here in Venezuela and throughout Latin America, most people are proud of President Chávez' for his insight and courage in consistently standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Col. Qadaffi against the illegal imperialist war on the people of Libya.

- Les Blough in Venezuela

August 1, 2011
Washington Post
Gadhafi thanks Chavez for support; Venezuelan leader says ‘we’re with you’

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Monday that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi sent him a letter thanking his allies in Latin America for their staunch support.

Chavez read aloud portions of the letter on national television. He also said Venezuela would not recognize the governing body of Libya’s rebels, and he urged Gadhafi to stand firm in his fight.

“I respect him a lot,” Chavez said, referring to Gadhafi. “He’s resisting there. Long live Libya!”

Reading from a translation of the letter, which was written in Arabic, Chavez said Gadhafi told him: “I highly value your noble positions in support of the Libyan people, as well as the leaders and revolutionaries of Latin America and the Caribbean. We hope to count on that support continuing.”

Chavez condemned NATO airstrikes in Libya and called the North African nation’s rebel National Transitional Council a “group of terrorists.” He questioned how the U.S. and European nations could recognize such a group, and asked what world powers would do if a similar rebellion were to erupt in Spain or the United States.

“How hypocritical of the empire,” Chavez said, referring to the U.S. government. At another point in his televised speech, Chavez joked that due to the U.S. government’s budget problems, President Barack Obama might need a loan.

Addressing Gadhafi, Chavez said: “Live and be victorious. We’re with you.”

Chavez has repeatedly condemned the involvement of foreign militaries in Libya, saying their attacks are unjustified and will only unleash more bloodshed.

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry said Gadhafi’s letter was brought to Venezuelan by a Libyan emissary, Abdul Hafid Al Zleitni. It said he was accompanied by another Libyan official, Mohamed Zydan.

Chavez said he was not able to meet with the delegates due to his treatment for cancer. He said he instructed his foreign minister to respond to Gadhafi’s message right away.

Source: Washington Post