Mack: Chavez’s quest for nuclear power a cause for great concern
Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14), the Ranking Republican on the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement today after news reports indicated that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez plans to develop a nuclear energy program with Russia.
Mack said:
“Hugo Chavez is a dangerous man with dangerous friends. It’s no secret that he has a close relationship with Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and wants to follow in his footsteps and develop a nuclear program. Now Chavez is seeking other partners, like Russia, to aid him in his quest.
“Chavez’s claim that he wants to use nuclear energy for “peaceful purposes” is pure propaganda. Given his relationships with Iran and Russia, and his ties to terrorist organizations like the FARC and Hezbollah, he can’t be trusted.
“The United States and its allies in the region must unite to prevent Chavez from gaining access to new nuclear technology. The freedom, security, and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere depend on it.”