BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

05/09/2006

Belarus to back Venezuela's candidacy to UN Security Council

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday said that Belarus was among a growing list of countries supporting his "anti-imperialist" government in its bid to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member.

Speaking to a group of officials from the ex-Soviet republic, Chavez also said that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko would "shortly" be visiting Venezuela, reported AP.

"We thank the Belarus government for the firm support it has given for our candidacy," Chavez said, adding that Venezuela's candidacy was "the candidacy of all honorable peoples in the world, of those who fight for equality and liberty, it is the anti-imperialist candidacy."

The U.S. government, which has long been at odds with Chavez's administration, has sought to block Venezuela's quest for a regional, non-permanent seat on the Security Council and is backing Guatemala instead

Source:

http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/09/05/en_pol_art_05A774643.shtml