US, Europe must apologise for slavery - Chavez

GAMBIA: Europe and the United States should apologise to Africa for the cruelties of slavery, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said, calling on Africa to resist what he called modern day U.S. colonialism.

Attending a summit of African leaders in Gambia, Chavez said both Africa and Latin America had been blighted by slavery and colonialism for centuries, to the benefit of Europe and North America. "Africa is still weeping ... and Europe does not recognise it. Europe should apologise, get on its knees and apologise," Chavez, invited to attend the summit as a guest, told reporters.

"They should lower their European arrogance and say sorry, as, one day, North America should apologise."

The leftist firebrand, whose attacks on U.S. policy have raised hackles in Washington, urged the leaders of the 53-nation African Union to forge closer ties with Latin America to combat U.S. imperialism.

"The powerful nations will continue to dictate to us via multinational companies and neo-liberal economic policy, and if we cannot resist this neo-colonialism, we will be crushed," said the former paratrooper, praising the African socialism of former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere. "No to the Pax Americana. No to Superman. No to the American Empire. No to the American way of life. No. That is the way to hell," he said. Chavez reacted angrily to U.S. opposition to Venezuela's bid for one of the rotating seats on the U.N. Security Council.

"If there was real democracy in the world, the U.S. government would be placed under administration because it is a government of the United States that ignores the democracy of its people and ignores democracy in the world: it invades countries, murders and bombs cities," he said.

Chavez said Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil exporter, could rely on Africa's support in its bid to win a Security Council seat.

Banjiul, Monday, Reuters