Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez on Monday mocked US disapproval and joked about having an atomic bomb at their disposal.
Despite their geographical distance, the two countries have forged increasingly close ties between their fellow OPEC nations in recent years, although concrete projects have often lagged behind the rhetoric.
"One of the targets that Yankee imperialism has in its sights is Iran, which is why we are showing our solidarity," Chavez said during a joint news conference. "When we meet, the devils go crazy," he said, mocking US warnings that Latin American nations should not help the Islamic Republic.
They appeared to cautiously avoid statements on sensitive issues including Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping channel crucial for the global oil trade.
Ahmadinejad was in Venezuela at the start of a tour intended to shore up support as expanded Western economic sanctions take effect over Iran's nuclear program.
OPEC 'not involved'
OPEC will not get involved in the standoff between Iran and Western powers over its nuclear program, Venezuela's oil minister said on Monday.
"OPEC will not get involved in the issue with Iran," Ramirez told reporters following a meeting between Ahmadinejad and Chavez. He said the sanctions are "causing instability in the market".
Ramirez also said Venezuela considered its legal dispute with US oil giant Exxon Mobil to be closed after an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce, or ICC, ordered Venezuela to pay $908 million in a commercial dispute over 2007 nationalization of assets.
Oil prices rose to nearly $103 a barrel on Tuesday amid concerns about tensions between the West and Iran.
By midday in Europe, benchmark crude for February delivery was up $1.54 to $102.85 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 25 cents to $101.31 in New York on Monday.
In London, Brent crude was up 97 cents at $113.42 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange on Tuesday.
Bomb of love
Chavez accused the US and its European allies of demonizing Iran and using false claims about the nuclear issue "like they used the excuse of weapons of mass destruction to do what they did in Iraq".
Ahmadinejad dismissed the accusations about Iran's nuclear program in general terms.
"They say we're making (a) bomb," the Iranian leader said through an interpreter. "Fortunately, the majority of Latin American countries are alert. Everyone knows that those words ... are a joke. It's something to laugh at."
"It's clear they're afraid of our development," Ahmadinejad said.
They joked that their relationship shouldn't cause any concern. Ahmadinejad said if they were together building anything like a bomb, "the fuel of that bomb is love". Chavez played on the same theme, saying Iran has been helping manufacture an "atomic bicycle" at a plant in the country.
The Venezuelan leader said Iran's assistance has helped his country build 14,000 homes as well as factories that produce food, tractors and vehicles. Government officials signed two agreements promoting industrial cooperation and worker training.
Tags: green bags, greenbags, recyclable bags, non woven bag, non woven bags, nylon bag, cotton bag, cotton bags, messenger bag, reusable bags, bag, bags, handbag, eco bags, tote bag, paper pen, promotional, promotional gifts, promotional products, promotion products, promotional bags, promotional bag, business card, name card, shopping bags, canvas bag, calico bags, calico bag, environmental bags
没有评论:
发表评论