Press Releases - Chavez's Rant Another U.N. Black Eye

Chavez's Rant Another U.N. Black Eye

Washington, Sep 22 - In response to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez delivering heavily-laden anti-American speech in front of the United Nations, in which he referred to President Bush as the "devil," Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) released the following statement:

"Hugo Chavez address to the United Nations should be an insult to every free country in the world. His attack on our leader is an attack on every American. Chavez has historically tried to spread his extremist hatred for the United States through poor nations in an effort to build a ‘Bolivarian axis' of anti-American countries. Now he has come to our soil to spread his hateful rhetoric in a display unfitting of any statesman.

"In the past Chavez has claimed the U.S. is the ‘biggest menace to our planet,' and ‘capitalism leads us straight to hell.' He is a man who considers communist leader Fidel Castro to be his mentor and friend, and built an alliance with Iran and supports their efforts in building a nuclear arsenal. Chavez has formed a close ties to Syria and has reached out to Hamas to provide financial support. His behavior is unfit of that of a leader; he is nothing more that a terrorist in sheep's clothing.

"Chavez has turned Venezuela into a hostile country and has tried to use its state-owned oil companies as a weapon against the U.S. He has sought other oil-rich countries to do the same. Citgo is a primary Venezuelan government-owned company, and every time an American fills their gas tank with Citgo gas it is supporting Chavez's cause. I for one will think twice before taking my car to Citgo.

"As Chavez delivered his derogatory speech, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan stood idly by. Such consistent lack of leadership has rendered the U.N. useless in dealing with conflicts around the world and fanned the flames of anti-Americanism.

"It was just as disturbing to see other countries' representatives to the U.N. tolerate and applaud such behavior. While more than 50 nations have been the victims of terrorist attacks it would seem more appropriate for the U.N. members to condemn such a hateful, hostile and provocative speech. The U.N. should be a place where nations come together to promote tolerance, respect, and peace. Instead, it tolerates corruption, terrorism and empty resolutions."

http://murphy.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=50639