Chavez calls Bush meddling "Emperor of Evil"

["Tell me what right does President of the United States have to call 
for transparency in any electoral process in the world when he won 
fraudulent elections in the U.S.," Chavez told cheering supporters at an 
election rally. ]

Chavez calls Bush meddling "Emperor of Evil"
Thu 22 July, 2004 04:12
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=551365&section=news

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has 
blasted U.S. President George W. Bush as a meddling "Emperor of Evil" 
who was backing his opponents ahead of an August referendum on his rule.

Chavez, a populist ex-army officer who often locks horns with 
Washington, condemned Bush for urging transparency in the August 15 
recall to decide whether to end his presidency of the world's number 
five oil exporter.

"Tell me what right does President of the United States have to call for 
transparency in any electoral process in the world when he won 
fraudulent elections in the U.S.," Chavez told cheering supporters at an 
election rally.

Since Chavez survived a brief 2002 coup, he has often blamed the United 
States for supporting his opponents in an attempt to overthrow him and 
end his self-styled revolution for the poor. U.S. officials deny those 
charges.

"You see how now the Emperor of Evil has spoken from Washington giving 
orders," Chavez said.

The U.S. president on Monday called for an "honest and fair" referendum 
and backed calls for international observers to be allowed free access 
to the voting process.

After his 1998 election, Chavez faced increasingly fierce opposition to 
the social reforms he says seek to end neglect of the impoverished 
masses. His close ties to Cuban leader Fidel Castro and tough anti-U.S. 
stance have soured relations with the United States, a top buyer of 
Venezuelan oil.

His opponents secured the referendum after a year-long campaign for a 
vote against a president they accuse of fuelling hatred between the 
social classes and ruining Venezuela's oil-rich economy.

They have urged international observers to guarantee a fair vote as they 
say Chavez holds political control over the Supreme Court and the 
electoral council overseeing the referendum. Authorities dismiss those 
accusations.

Diego Cordovez, a special advisor sent by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi 
Annan, met with electoral authorities in Caracas on Wednesday. He is due 
to meet this week with Chavez and opposition leaders.

An international mission led by the Organisation of American States and 
the Atlanta-based Carter Centre has overseen the referendum process, 
during which both sides have accused each other of fraud.
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