Iranian, Venezuelan leaders declare war on US `imperialism'

The leaders of Iran and Venezuela cemented an alliance aimed at countering US influence as the Iranian president declared that "no one can defeat us" and reached out to a new ally in Bolivia.

After being vilified during his UN visit this week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traveled on to friendlier territory on Thursday, first stopping in Bolivia -- where he pledged US$1 billion in investment -- and then visiting Venezuela to meet Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"Together we are surely growing stronger and in truth no one can defeat us," the Iranian leader said through an interpreter in Caracas.

Ostensibly referring to the US, he said that "Imperialism has no other option: Respect the peoples [of the world] or accept defeat."

Chavez greeted the Iranian leader on a red carpet in front of the presidential palace, where they both stood before microphones and let loose with rhetoric challenging Washington.

"We will continue resisting to the end in the face of imperialism," Ahmadinejad said. "The age of imperialism has ended."

Chavez embraced the Iranian leader, calling him "one of the greatest anti-imperialist fighters" and "one of the great fighters for true peace."

In his speech to the UN General Assembly last week, Ahmadinejad rebuked "arrogant powers" seeking to curb Iran's nuclear program.

Chavez also defends Iran's nuclear research, insisting it is for peaceful energy uses despite US charges it is aimed at making nuclear weapons. He says Venezuela plans to eventually develop its own nuclear energy program.

The Venezuelan leader said he was proud of Ahmadinejad's courage while under hostile questioning at New York's Columbia University.

"An imperial spokesman tried to disrespect you, calling you a cruel little tyrant," Chavez said. "You responded with the greatness of a revolutionary."

In Bolivia, Ahmadinejad pledged investment over the next five years to help the poor Andean nation tap its vast natural gas reserves, extract minerals, generate more electricity and fund agricultural and construction projects.

Meanwhile, Bolivian President Evo Morales called Ahmadinejad's visit historic as the two states established diplomatic relations for the first time.

Morales brushed off concerns about close ties to a country that the Bush administration calls a sponsor of terrorism, saying the "international community can rest assured that Bolivia's foreign policy is dedicated to peace with equality and social justice."

Ahmadinejad's trip underscored his growing ties to Latin American countries, including Nicaragua and Ecuador, even as the US tries to isolate him internationally.

The closer ties are viewed with alarm by the opposition in Venezuela and Bolivia, and by Washington.

US Representative Connie Mack said they remind him "of the relationship that Fidel Castro had with Russia."

He urged Washington to reach out more to a region analysts say it has ignored since Sept. 11, 2001.

Toward that aim, a bipartisan bill was introduced in the US Congress yesterday that would establish a 10-year, US$2.5 billion program aimed at reducing poverty and expanding the middle class in Latin America.