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Chavez Defends Brazil's Embattled President
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=E977A1:3919ACA

Venezuela's president calls Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva 'an honest man'





Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (l) shakes hands with Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez in BrasiliaVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez has come to
the defense of Brazil's embattled President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,
saying conservative opponents are using a corruption scandal to
unfairly attack the Brazilian leader.

During a brief visit to Brazil Friday, Mr. Chavez called Mr. da Silva
"an honest man." The Brazilian president went on national television
Friday and publicly apologized for the corruption scandal plaguing his
administration, while denying involvement.

President da Silva was a staunch supporter of Mr. Chavez during
Venezuela's strikes in 2003 and the recall attempt in 2004.

Venezuela and Brazil are exploring avenues for greater economic
integration, including a proposed $2.5 billion oil refinery in Brazil
that would create 10,000 jobs and process 250,000 barrels of oil a
day.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Bloomberg.

 


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