Many say it marks one of the few times Bush has been the victim of his own medicine.
(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The White House is not commenting today over Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's statement that U.S. President George "W" Bush is being a "devil" with imperialist ambitions.
"Yesterday, the president of the US, the gentleman who I refer to as 'the devil' came here, talking to the world as if he owns the world," Chavez said.
The speech by Chavez was made at the U-N. Many comments Chavez made were considered "heated" by the Bush administration.
Describing Bush's tone in a speech from Tuesday, Chavez addressed the UN General Assembly, saying Bush's comments made him sound "as if he were the owner of the world, that is around the time he called Bush "the devil."
The response from the White House? "Not worthy of one" was the answer.
No American officials were present at the UN when Chavez made his statements, only a low level government employee typically referred to as a "junior note taker".
The Venezuelan leader drew tentative giggles at times from the audience, but also some applause when he called Bush the devil.
Former President Bill Clinton says the attack was not necessary and "a mistake." Speaking to CNN after the remarks, Clinton said, "He's not hurting us, he's just hurting himself and his country."
U-S Ambassador John Bolton adknowledges Chavez' right to make his opinion known, but said it was "too bad the people of Venezuela don't have free speech." Bolton echoed White House thinking, in saying the remarks did not deserve a reponse.
But others in the UN laughed and chuckled over the remarks that Chavez made.
Venezuela's leader, who has joined Iran and Cuba in opposing U.S. influence, labels accusations at the administration including, “domination, exploitation and pillage of peoples of the world.”
“We appeal to the people of the United States and the world to halt this threat, which is like a sword hanging over our head,” he said.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Calls George W. Bush The Devil: White House SilentSalem-News.com