Venezuelan Dictator/President Hugo Chavez arrived in Minsk, Belarus a few days ago to meet with fellow despot, Alexander Lukashenka. It was reminiscent of last summer's visit (described briefly in this Vital Signs Blog post). Pledging yet more economic and ideological ties between their nations, Chavez tickled Lukashenka's ears a bit more with sweet nothings such as the following: "There are few peoples in the world who endure such strong pressure from the empire as Belarus. In this struggle we are brothers. The enemy's forces are trying to turn the world into a unipolar world. We must overcome many obstacles from these forces. The empire that has called us dictatorships itself wants to create a world dictatorship."Radio Free Europe reports that both fellows expressed satisfaction at the developing partnership. "If in one year we were able to do so much," Chavez asked, "then what will be able to do in the 20 years that we will be in power?"
"Don't scare the Americans," Lukashenka responded with a smile.
Chavez reportedly promised that his country will increase the import of Belarusian television sets, tractors, electronic equipment, and various machines. "In the future, we'll be able to jointly occupy considerable market niches in Latin America, satisfying the real demand of people for food, building materials, household appliances, medicines, and machine-building products."
