Chavez says Russia was right to recognize breakaway regions

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Russia made the right move in its conflict with Georgia by recognizing the independence of two breakaway regions, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday night. Chavez said he fully supported Russia's position and that Venezuela "would do the same if someone dared to attack us." The Venezuelan leader, who is closely allied with Moscow, said in a televised speech that "Russia is right" in recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Chavez has criticized Georgia over the conflict and has called President Mikhail Saakashvili a "puppet" of Washington.