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An Axis Of Good of a Dangerous Leader

Leftist leader and Venezuelan President Chavez and the leftist Bolivian President-elect Morales met together in a show of solidarity against President Bush this week. Chavez and Morales have also formed separate alliances with Cuba, promoting leftist integration as an alternative to U.S. free-market policies in Latin America.

At a joint press conference Chavez declared, "You know who is the axis of evil? Washington, they are the axis of evil, and their allies in the world who threaten, invade, who kill and assassinate, we are forming an axis of good."

Morales was elected by more than 50 percent in a December 18 vote. He made the Venezuela stop before continuing a world tour that includes Spain, France, Brazil, China and South Africa. He takes office on January 22, and will be the first indigenous Indian leader elected to such an office in Bolivia.