[NYTr] Chavez promises not to invade Washington

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

El Universal - December 18, 2007
http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/12/18/en_eco_art_chavez-promises-not_18A1267159.shtml

Chávez promises not to invade Washington

Venezuela has no plans to invade Washington or jeopardize the US
interests in Latin America, "at least directly," said on Tuesday
President Hugo Chávez.

"The most important reason for the attacks on Venezuela is not really
ideological in nature. It is not really that we are planning to invade
Washington or threatening the US interests in Latin America, at least
directly, no. This is not our plan? The fundamental reason for these
sorrows, for the attack on us, is energy," said Chávez during his
address to the Mercosur summit of heads of member and associated states
held on Tuesday in Montevideo.

"I am a soldier. We are fighters. We want changes in peace, like the
million people we represent. I wish they would not force us to take
other ways. We are prepared to have a homeland, at any cost. I would
like to issue this warning from Montevideo to the US Empire and its
lackeys in these countries," he added, as quoted by AP.

The presidents of Mercosur founding members, including Argentina,
Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and associated nations Chile and Bolivia,
attended the summit. President Chávez was present in the name of
Venezuela, which awaits full membership.