Porlamar, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi signed a declaration on Monday night decrying what they call attempts by powerful Western countries to equate struggles against colonialism with terrorism.
In the declaration, Venezuela and Libya "reject intentions to link the legitimate struggle of the people for liberty and self-determination" with terrorism, but also adds that they "reiterate the importance of countering terrorism in all its forms."
Neither of the two leaders commented publicly on the document. It does not specifically name any Western country, but Gaddafi mentioned both the United States and Britain during a speech after the signing.
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During many of his 40 years in power, Gaddafi was accused of harbouring terrorists and hosting militant training camps while sponsoring terrorist attacks. But the Libyan leader has taken steps in recent years to mend relations with the West, and says his government renounces terrorism and rejects being labelled as a sponsor of terrorist acts.
Chavez, meanwhile, has been accused by Colombia and the United States of supporting the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which has been seeking to overthrow governments in Bogota for 45 years.
The Venezuelan leader denies aiding the FARC. He claims the United States is using Colombia as part of a broader plan to portray him as a supporter of terrorist groups to provide justification for a US military invasion of Venezuela.
Cheered on by hundreds of supporters at a rally held for the signing, Chavez praised Gaddafi, comparing him to Venezuela's most revered founding father - 19th century independence hero Simon Bolivar. He presented his guest with a gold-plated replica of a sword that once belonged to Bolivar.
"I'm not exaggerating at all.
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