Chavez's assassination cheaper than starting a war
 

Venezuela's vice president accused U.S. religious broadcaster Pat Robertson on Tuesday of making "terrorist statements" by suggesting that American agents assassinate President Hugo Chavez.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Venezuela was studying its legal options, adding that how Washington responds to Robertson's comments would put its anti-terrorism policy to the test.

"The ball is in the U.S. court, after this criminal statement by a citizen of that country," Rangel told reporters. "It's a huge hypocrisy to maintain this discourse against terrorism and at the same time, in the heart of that country, there are entirely terrorist statements like those."

Chavez said while concluding an official visit to Cuba that he had yet to be informed of Robertson's comments.

"I haven't read anything. We haven't heard anything about him," Chavez said, when asked in general terms about a U.S. religious leader having said Chavez should be killed. "I don't even know who that person is."

The U.S. government, meanwhile, distanced itself from Robertson's comments.

Robertson on the Christian Broadcast Network's "The 700 Club" on Monday: "We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability." "We don't need another US$200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator," he continued. "It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with."

Chavez has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of U.S. President George W. Bush, accusing the United States of conspiring to topple his government and possibly backing plots to assassinate him.

U.S. officials have called the accusations ridiculous.

"You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it," Robertson said. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war ... and I don't think any oil shipments will stop."

"Very Christian" comments

Other religious leaders in the U.S. reacted strongly to Robertson's comments. "It's absolutely chilling to hear a religious leader call for the murder of any political leader, no matter how much he disagrees with such a leader's policies or practices," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Rangel called Robertson "a man who seems to have quite a bit of influence in that country," adding sarcastically that his words were "very Christian."

The comments "reveal that religious fundamentalism is one of the great problems facing humanity in these times," Rangel said, at times referring to Robertson as "this evangelical pastor."

Robertson's remarks appear likely to further aggravate tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Chavez has repeatedly claimed that American officials are plotting to oust or kill him - charges U.S. officials have denied. Chavez has irritated U.S. officials with his fiery rhetoric against American "imperialism" and his increasingly close ties to U.S. enemies such as Cuba and Iran. He says he is leading Venezuela toward socialism and, in a visit to Cuba this week, praised Fidel Castro's system as a "revolutionary democracy."

Speaking about the legal ramifications of Robertson's words, Rangel said "this is a very delicate situation." "There is a legal measure in the United States that condemns and punishes statements of this nature," the vice president said, referring generally to laws dealing with television broadcasts.

"The response from the U.S. government and its legal institutions, to a message of this kind by a supposed religious spokesman calling for a head of state's assassination - because 'a war is too costly and it's cheaper to kill him' - puts to the test the U.S. government's anti-terrorist discourse," Rangel said.

The vice president also said the Organisation of American States could take up the case, saying an inter-American anti-terrorism accord includes provisions against inciting others to kill.

Venezuelan officials said earlier this year they had tightened Chavez's presidential security in response to unspecified threats.

Rangel said Robertson's call for Chavez to be killed "justifies and explains the Venezuelan government's concern."

Chavez is up for re-election next year, and polls suggest he is the favourite.


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Pat Robertson is a kook...

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Pat Robertson is a fucking nut and shows just how fucked up Christians are.

He has also suggested that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device. And has said that feminism encourages women to ?kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.?

These are the people controlling our country :helpme

actually, all it shows is how fucked up Pat Robertson is.

haha and just think stern is the bad guy

This guy sounds like a total nut job.

These far right wingers are normally the biggest sinners of the lot - spouting all this crap because it makes them feel better about there own pervertions.

For instance the New Zealand Christion Coalition Party leader was just done on a rape charge - he raped an 8 year old girl.

Where did Christ say assassinate your enemys, I dont remeber that part of the bible lol

Pat Robertson is such an asshat.

I just went to his website and sent a prayer request for his soul. Made it sound very Christiany and believable ... "I am so worried about Pat's soul. It is obvious that he has strayed so far from the path of righteousness that he no longer remembers why he loved Christ in the first place ... etc etc"

Will be funny to see if I get a reply.

-P

im in Colombia and heading to Venezuela next week. that country is going to erupt if he gets killed, and i dont want to be there when it does.

I highly doubt he´s going to get killed....I wouldn´t be surprised if Chavez didn´t pay this guy to say that just to add fuel to his crusade against "imperialism".Chavez is just a Fidel copycat and he´s got the best tutor,Fidel himself.
He says there has been numerous attempts on his life and that they captured the would-be killers.Only that they have never shown the captured people or any plans.
We know how much these "religious" guys love money.And Chavez has plenty of it (our money btw,the fucker thinks it´s his personal bank account)

Wow Pat Robertson controls you? Your life must be a piece of shit.

I don't even give a piece of shit to that freak's existance.

i could not believe he said this stuff. crazy. if i did not see the clips, i would not have believed it. totally insane.

Chavez should be eliminated ASAP :2 cents:

Ever since your mom started swallowing its gotten a little better.

I hope Chavez cuts off all oil exports to the USA.

That would be funny to watch.

He won`t do that...he`s making too much money from that and he`s a fast spender.
Now if the U.S stopped buying from him...they should stop financing his crazy ass.
Not gonna happen though

It's cheaper to start war but it still gets us into war itself. He is a fuckin idiot!

Venezula has more gas stations in the US than they have back home and are happy to pump gas into them at a price level they normally sell to "civilized" countries. (Others get a cheaper deal)

It does not seem likely that Chavez is interested in cutting off oil to the US, why should he?

This is a guy with a massive ego and even some personality to match. His views may sometimes not appeal to some countries, but he is not a madman and, in a weird way (whether it's genuine or not), is looking out for the majority within Venezula who need looking out for. Others just hate him.

The bullshit with the US revolves around a pathetic aborted attempt by the Bush admin to kill Chavez off and he has taken that personally. :1orglaugh The incident is well-known and, also known is that there were senior US military officers involved. In error, Bush pre-judged the outcome and was glowing all over while making up an obituary for Chavez when he found out the assasination attempt had aborted. Then.... well.. a embarassing silence and "no, we would not do such a thing". Bush lies and thinks the wild west still rules, but ya know that.

The mindless righteous warped dribble from the US braindead, specifically Robertson on this occasion, is little more than ya can expect from a retard with a mouth that can make noises.

Once more, we have a US retard getting in the face of other counties business. It would be nice to see em clean up their own backyard before having an "opinion" on fuck all else.

that's why i don't watch the 700 club.

sort of like GFY on a daily basis... only with the roles reversed.

Yea.. the level of retard capability on GFY stems from warped fucked up idiots who plaster the place with oneliners in the hope of causing some drama or getting attention. Truth hurting? :1orglaugh

Don't overestimate yourself.

If he adopts the Cuban " fidel " ways, you will see oil purchases stop really fast.

Never do, but a few others manage it 24/7. :1orglaugh

Something reminds me of a dog that has a tendency to ankle bite in the hope of attention. But, sadly.. gotta go..

He already adopts Fidel's ways and the majority within Venezula support him. Sure, there are some doubts about a guy who has an ego and bullshit to match, but that's no different to a few other asshole "leaders" and little reason to come up with the solution that - ie we kill him off cos we don't agree with him.

Venezula has nada problem selling oil... other countries want more. It's not in the interest of the US to stop buying - never will be.

Chavez is already signing contracts with China. China is on a buy spree for oil and they would love USAs share of OIL :2 cents:

Why don't you just raise funds for the assassination of the fucking loser himself.