CARACAS, Thursday September 21, 2006 | Update
A speech delivered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez
at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, where he labeled
his US counterpart George W. Bush as the devil, was unworthy,
European Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Thursday.
"I think that this does not deserve any comment at all. It
is unworthy," the senior official declared during a telephone
conversation with Efe in New York.
During his speech in the UN General Assembly plenary session
last Wednesday, Chávez urged the world to stand up against
US hegemonic attempts that, in his view, jeopardize the planet.
"The devil is at home. Yesterday (Tuesday) the devil came
here. This place smells sulfur," Chávez stated in reference
to Bush.
02:57 PM. HEAVY RAINS. Venezuelan Executive Vice-President Elias Jaua reported that the government is designing plans to support farmers, cattlemen and peasants of the state of Mérida who have been hit by heavy rains that have caused crop losses.