Gaddafi, Chavez sign anti-terror treaty
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi signed a declaration Monday night decrying what they call attempts by powerful Western countries to equate struggles against colonialism with terrorism.
n 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, which does not specifically name any Western country, but Gaddafi mentioned both the United States and Britain during a speech after the signing.
During many of his 40 years in power, Gaddafi was accused of harboring 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 labeled as a sponsor of terrorist acts.