TEHRAN, Iran Anti-U.S. leaders Hugo Chavez of
Venezuela and Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmedinejad met in Tehran on Saturday, pledging mutual support for
one another, state media reported.
Chavez' two-day visit came as Iran faces renewed international
criticism for its nuclear program and as a backer of Hezbollah
guerrillas, engaged in fighting with Israel since they captured
two Israeli soldiers July 12.
The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council on Friday
reached a deal on a resolution that would give Iran until the end of
August to suspend uranium enrichment or face the threat of economic and
diplomatic sanctions.
CountryWatch:
Venezuela
Following talks, Chavez pledged that his country would "stay by Iran at
any time and under any condition," state television reported.
Ahmedinejad said he saw in Chavez a kindred spirit.
"I feel I have met a brother and trench mate after meeting Chavez,"
Ahmedinejad was quoted as saying by state-run television. "We think Iran
and Venezuela should share all experiences of each other, stay by each
other and they have to be supporters of each other."
The Venezuelan leader has been on a trip that included a visit to
Belarus where he met with authoritarian President Alexander
Lukashenko, who is dubbed "Europe's last dictator" by Washington
and shares Chavez's strong anti-U.S. views.
Earlier this week he secured an arms agreement with Russia in Moscow
that prompted the U.S. criticism.
While in Qatar on Friday, Chavez said it meant Venezuela could
eventually export guns and ammunition to Bolivia and other allies once it
opens a factory to make Russian-developed Kalashnikov rifles under
license.
Chavez accused the United States of "threatening" to stop supplying
replacement parts for the weapons to leftist Bolivian President Evo
Morales' government. If the U.S. follows through, Chavez said, "we
could supply Bolivia... and other friendly countries that also require a
minimal level of defense."
"Maybe in the future we'll become an (arms) exporting country," Chavez
said.
Bilateral trade last year between Iran and Venezuela was valued at
approximately US$1 billion. Iranian investment in Venezuela includes a
production line for tractors and several housing projects.
During his visit, Chavez was to inaugurate the new Venezuelan embassy
in Tehran and meet Iranian business leaders. He was also to tour
Iran-Khodro, Iran's giant public sector automobile manufacturer. The
leaders and top officials were expected to sign memorandums of
understanding in various fields.
Iranian state television reported that Chavez was also to meet Iran's
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
"We do not have any limitation in cooperation," Ahmedinejad was quoted
as saying. "Iran and Venezuela are next to each other and supporters of
each other. Chavez is a source of a progressive and revolutionary current
in South America and his stance in restricting imperialism is
tangible."