| (WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on reports that Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez will meet with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad during a two-day visit to Syria. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“The world’s most dangerous tyrants have already chosen sides. Chavez, Assad, and their ilk forge closer relationships by the day, bound by extremism and their hatred of freedom, democracy, and America.
“Such extremist alliances are threats which must not be ignored. Yet, the U.S. and the Organization of American States (OAS) appear unalarmed as Western Hemisphere dictators comingle and exchange tactics with their fellow oppressors in the Middle East.
“It is time to stop pretending that this tyrannical cabal might be pacified with subtle words and gestures. Chavez, Assad, and their dictator friends have been unapologetic in their hate-filled rhetoric and support for violent extremist groups. We must be unapologetic in defense of democratic values."
Note: Chavez’s six-nation trip also includes stops in Iran, Libya, Algeria, Belarus, and Russia.
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