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Hugo Chavez Shores Up Anti-Freedom Axis

On a state visit to Damascus, the firebrand, meddlesome Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called dictator-ruled Syria a hero for the Arabs this week. Joining fellow anti-American, and authoritarian, President Bashar Al Assad in denouncing what they referred to as America`s "hegemony", Chavez said "We have the same position as Syria: we reject the American empire`s imperialism and attempts at hegemony." Chavez is also a friend of Cuba`s Communist dictator, Fidel Castro.

During his first visit to Syria, a visit aimed at consolidating relations between the two countries. Chavez aimed to consolidate his anti-freedom axis. Syria is included on the U.S. State Department`s list of countries that support terrorism,and is a key backer of the Hizballah terror group which dragged Lebanon into a disastrous 34-day war. The two leaders denounced the recent UN Security Council Resolution for the Middle East, calling it, unsurprisingly, a product of the United States` hegemony - even though it was drafted with the help of France, hardly the most pro-American of countries today.

"We have the same political vision," Chavez said. "We are two countries and two peoples resisting and facing imperialist aggression." Chavez maintains, despite denials from Washington, that America is out to kill him. "This is a historic visit," said Mr. Assad, paying homage to Chavez`s "great positions" and his "feelings toward despoiled peoples". Assad also criticized last May`s Resolution 1680, which called for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon, and the finalization of borders between the two nations.