Chavez-Belarus 'pact against U.S.'

[Janice]

How will their oil and their attitude affect us?


MINSK, Belarus (Reuters) -- Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said Tuesday he had forged a strategic alliance to stand up to U.S. imperialism with fellow maverick Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"Our countries must keep their hands at the ready on the sword," Chavez, in ex-Soviet Belarus as part of a world tour, said on a visit to a military academy.

"After a day of intensive work, we have created a strategic alliance between our countries," he said, speaking through an interpreter. "It is absolutely vital to protect our homeland, to guard against internal and external threats."

"The jaws of imperialism and hegemonism have both us and Belarus in their grip."

Chavez did not give details about what the alliance would involve. He is a bitter critic of the United States and proclaims socialist ideals to unite South America against Washington's influence.

Lukashenko runs a Soviet-style command economy. Washington says he runs the last dictatorship in Europe. Belarus is subject to European Union and U.S. sanctions after Western observers accused him of rigging his own re-election in March.

Like Chavez in Venezuela, Lukashenko has strong support with poor voters.

"The number of countries in the world which resist the forces of dictatorship is growing," said Lukashenko, standing alongside him at the military academy.

Chavez leaves Belarus on Tuesday for Russia where he is to sign a deal to buy Russian fighter jets and helicopters. His tour will also take in Qatar, Iran, Vietnam and Mali.

The tour is in part to lobby for Venezuela's bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

[kevin]

Janice, this is part of a move from a unipolar (one super power) to multipolar (regional powers and alliance system) world.

Honestly what does it mean for the United States? It means that Chavez will have another source of finance and arms, and it brings him closer to the expanding Russian Empire which will someday include Belarus. It also means that the isolated government in Belarus has a new ally.

But is it something to worry about? No. Their pact isn't a military pact designed at killing Americans but a pact on the world stage to act against our policies. Very different.