Venezuela, Iran initial 29 agreements
"Welcome to Venezuela, where Iran is loved. We welcome a remarkable leader -the leader of a heroic people and a revolution friendly to the Venezuelan revolution: the Islamic revolution," said President Hugo Chávez Sunday noon when welcoming his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Simón Bolívar International Airport.

Ahmadinejad, who is paying a two-day official visit to Venezuela, stressed that despite physical distance, "we currently have common thoughts, goals and interests," and therefore "we should stay united" to achieve such goals for the sake of "peace and justice and against oppression in the world."

"My greetings to the brave Bolivarian people, their brave President and all of the free, liberator countries. Greetings to all of the revolutionary people who are against world hegemony. I am sure our peoples will claim the victory," Ahmadinejad said.

Chávez arrived in Venezuela a few minutes before Ahmadinejad. They both came from Cuba, where they attended the Non-Aligned Movement 14th Summit.

Ahmadinejad and Chávez exchanged mutual compliments. The Iranian ruler called his Venezuelan counterpart "my brother and brave revolutionary," and said his stay in Venezuela would be "very important to strengthen relations" and "one of the best memories of my life."

No atomic bombs
In a speech before the Venezuelan Navy cadets that would later honor the visiting President, Chávez talked about the Islamic revolution and the uprising of the Iranian people.

"The (Iranian) people got tired of so much exploitation, manslaughter, backwardness and misery, and the Shah was forced to leave. Where did he go? To the United States. He was a protégé of the US."

Chávez stressed that the Venezuelan and Iranian revolutions "are two revolutions that are shaking hands, two dignities that are meeting."

Once again, the Venezuelan ruler seized the opportunity to deny claims that both countries have engaged in an alliance for joint uranium extraction and processing. "Both the imperialists and the enemies within have started launching attacks. They claim Iran is here to look for uranium and that we have a uranium mine in Guayana for purposes of uranium enrichment and building an atomic bomb. They are lying," Chávez underscored.

"Only through revolution the peoples will be able to leave misery and backwardness behind," the Venezuelan President said.

The two rulers left the Simón Bolívar International Airport in a helicopter for the Presidential Palace of Miraflores in Caracas, where they met in private.

Both delegations initialed at least 29 instruments, including agreements, memoranda of understanding, and letters of intent in the areas of oil, housing, iron and steel industries, petrochemicals, healthcare and education.

Chávez announced that Iranian experts are to provide technical assistance in the construction of a manufacturing plant of gunpowder and caps for ammo, as well as a plastic injection plant.  Both countries are to organize three joint ventures to manufacture medicines, surgical equipment, and plastic containers and for training of Venezuelans in the iron and steel industries.

Joint statement in support of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
The Venezuelan ruler also mentioned that Iran is to provide assistance to build a car manufacturing plant where the family car "Centauro" will be produced. Another joint project includes a cement plant in northwestern Lara state.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and his Iranian counterpart Mahmud Ahmadinejad issued a joint declaration whereby they advocated the role of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) "in defense of fair oil prices." Again, they vowed to work for a multi-polar world and democratization of international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN).

The presidents reasserted "the right of all the peoples in the globe to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and peoples' development."

The rulers agreed on the need to maximize the Non-Aligned Movement, or NAM; as a forum for cooperation and in furtherance of southern countries in the international arena, "to express with a single voice and have a higher profile."

Chávez and Ahmadinejad "refused strenuously the unilateral stance and aggression as a means for dispute settlement in the international system."

Iran, Venezuela voice full agreement on nuke issues
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, paying a two-day official visit to Venezuela, claimed that his country's nuclear program is "clear and transparent," adding that he has a goal to manufacture nuclear fuel.

"We have a very transparent logic: we have said that if the production chain of nuclear fuel is good, then everybody should have it; and if it is bad, then nobody should have it," he said, as quoted by DPA.

Ahmadinejad claimed that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports have confirmed the purity of Iranian nuclear activities. "We have always informed that we are willing to negotiate. Those who have tested atomic bombs are an obstacle for the development of our people, while our path is the production of nuclear fuel," he added.

Meanwhile, President Chávez hailed Iran's stance and ensured he endorses such a position. Further, the Venezuelan ruler stressed that the Iranian nuclear program has been "demonized" by the US empire and news networks.

"What my brother Ahmadinejad has said is fair, straightforward and logical. We do not want anyone to own the bad part of nuclear energy. On what moral grounds, the Unites States, the world's largest nuclear power, intends to stop atomic energy for peaceful purposes? That is immoral and cynical. We endorse Iran's right to develop atomic energy for peaceful purposes," Chávez exclaimed.

He added that Venezuela is pondering the possibility to engage in a nuclear energy program. Ahmadinejad warned that Iran and Venezuela "will stay together until the end" no matter what obstacles.

Chávez demands clarification from the Vatican on Benedict XVI's remarks on the Islam
President Hugo Chávez Wednesday voiced concern about the Pope Benedict XVI's remarks on the Islam and the subsequent reactions of the Islamic peoples.

"I think the Vatican should clarify its stance because I think some questions have emerged among our Muslim brothers. We Christians ought to be brothers of the Muslims," Chávez told a press conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York, following his speech Wednesday at noon.
 
"No one can go around saying that Muslims are extremists or terrorists. There are terrorists in the United States who are protected by the Government (of George W. Bush) and who are not Muslims." Chávez reminded the case of Cuban activist Luis Posada Carriles.

Ahmadinejad calls for temperance
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Wednesday called for moderation in public statements regarding the controversy that emerged following Pope Benedict XVI's polemical remarks on the Islam.

"People playing outstanding roles should be very careful in their words," the Iranian ruler told the US network MSNBC. "The Pope's works could give some groups a reason to start a war," he added, as quoted by DPA.

Ahmadinejad closed the chapter of the Pope's statements. "I think the Pope has taken back his words already."