http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=10/31/01&Cat=2&Num=014

Stop"Killing of Innocents", Venezuela Tells U.S.

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday condemned the civilian casualties caused by the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan and made an impassioned plea for an end to what he called "the killing of innocents."

In a live television broadcast, the outspoken Venezuelan leader displayed color photographs published in the local media of Afghan children who were reported to be among the victims of the U.S. air strikes against Kabul and other cities.

"We support the fight against terrorism, and no one should doubt that ... but we've also said from the first day, that you can't respond to terror with more terror," Chavez said.

"Venezuela raises its voice with pain and courage and morality ... let the killing of innocents in Afghanistan stop right away," he added, speaking during a lengthy, detailed account of his recent three-week tour of 14 countries.

He held the pictures of the dead children, who included a baby, up close to the camera and said: "See this baby, what fault did it have? ... these children can't be blamed, not for terrorism nor for Bin Laden, nor for anything like that."

"Let's ask people to think and change what they're doing in time ... this cannot be an ethical alternative," he sa id.