Venezuela's Chavez hails US anti-nuke stance

[Judi Lynn]

Apr 7, 6:34 AM EDT

Venezuela's Chavez hails US anti-nuke stance

By JAY ALABASTER
Associated Press Writer

TOKYO (AP) -- Venezuela's president on Tuesday applauded President Barack Obama's promise to lead the world into a future free of nuclear weapons, and said he was open to working with the new American president.

"With this statement, it is as if an 'Obama missile' has landed," President Hugo Chavez said of the president's call to eliminate nuclear bombs.

He said Venezuela was still "watching and evaluating" the new U.S. administration, but that it was "very different" from the Bush era, with an increased possibility of cooperation.

The often outspoken Venezuelan leader, who has been critical of the U.S. and Obama in the past, continued to soften his stance ahead of the April 17-19 Summit of the Americas to take place in Trinidad and Tobago.

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