CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER
AP
Monday, January 22, 2007
President Hugo Chavez told U.S. officials to "Go to hell!"
on his weekly radio and TV show Sunday for what he called unacceptable
meddling after Washington raised concerns about a measure to grant
Venezuela's fiery leftist leader broad lawmaking powers.
The National Assembly, which is controlled by the president's
political allies, is expected to give final approval this week
to what it calls the "enabling law," which would give
Chavez the authority to pass a series of laws by decree during
an 18-month period.
On Friday, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said
Chavez's plans under the law "have caused us some concern."
Chavez rejected Casey's statement in his broadcast, saying: "Go
to hell, gringos! Go home!"
Chavez, who was re-elected by a wide margin last month, has said
he will enact sweeping reforms to remake Venezuela into a socialist
state. Among his plans are nationalizing the main telecommunications
company and the electricity and natural gas sectors.
The president's opponents accuse him of using his political strength
to expand his powers.
Relations between Caracas and Washington have been tense since
Chavez was briefly ousted in a 2002 coup that he claimed the U.S.
played a role in. The Bush administration has repeatedly denied
being involved, although it recognized an interim government established
by coup leaders.
Since then, Chavez has consistently accused the U.S. of conspiring
to oust him and often asserts the CIA is working to destabilize
his government. U.S. officials have denied trying to overthrow
Chavez, but they have labeled him a threat to democracy.
Criticizing excessive consumption and self-indulgence, Chavez
also announced plans in his broadcast to raise domestic gasoline
prices and approve a new tax on luxury goods such as private yachts,
second homes and extravagant automobiles.
He did not give details on the gas price hike, which he said
would not affect bus drivers who provide public transportation,
or the luxury tax. He said revenue from the new measures would
be put toward government social programs.
Venezuela is one of the world's leading petroleum exporters and
gasoline now costs as little as 12 cents a gallon due to government
subsidies.
In typical style, Chavez spoke for hours Sunday during his first
appearance on the weekly program in five months. He sent his best
wishes to the ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, his close ally
and friend who has been sidelined since intestinal surgery last
summer.
Chavez also remarked on the hanging of former Iraqi President
Saddam Hussein: "They took out Saddam Hussein and they hanged
him, for good or worse. It's not up to me to judge any government,
but that gentleman was the president of that country."
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