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Chavez Blasts and Mocks U.S. in Europe

In an unofficial trip to London, Venezuela`s president Hugo Chavez offered cut-rate heating oil for needy families in the European Union. Chavez had harsh words for the U.S, saying, the "final hours of the North American empire have arrived ... Now we have to say to the empire: We`re not afraid of you. You`re a paper tiger.`"

The EU promise is similar to a plan Chavez used to embarrass U.S. President George Bush, where he offered his supply of heating to poor American families last winter. Now Chavez said, "I`d like to do the same here in Europe."

"I want to humbly offer support to the poorest people who do not have resources for central heating in winter and make sure that support arrives." Chavez told the summit, "You Europeans can help us greatly. Your European social networks can make sure the support arrives where it should." "We have to unite all possible movements, otherwise the world is not going to change."