EL UNIVERSAL

United States President George W. Bush Tuesday refused to reply to his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chávez' verbal attacks.

"I do judge President Chávez based on his respect for institutions in Venezuela," Bush told CNN in an interview.

The news TV network asked Bush about his reaction when Chávez "refers to you in very strong terms," Efe reported.

In the interview broadcast late Tuesday, the US ruler added that "it is very important for leaders to respect freedom of cult and freedom of the press and to allow people to express their opinion without fear."

"As long as he (Chávez) does not do that, I think he should subject to criticisms," the US ruler stressed.

"This is very important for leaders in the hemisphere, quite apart from the fact that they agree or disagree with the United States," Bush asserted.

Chávez usually lashes out at Bush. Last March 19th, the Venezuelan ruler called his US counterpart "a donkey, coward and alcoholic," among other expressions.

"The world is against you; the world is opposed to an imperialist, immoral, and genocidal war. You are insane and coward," Chávez said on March 19th during his weekly radio and TV show in reference to Bush.

The United States and Venezuela have relations at ambassador level, but they virtually lack communication channels as of mid-2005, AFP said.

In May 2004, Caracas discontinued military cooperation with the United States, accusing Washington of supporting a coup in April 2002 that removed Chávez from power for 47 hours.

The United States is Venezuela's largest investor and trade partner, while Venezuela is the fourth largest oil provider to US.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.