Venezuelan Leader Meets With Hussein

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez held talks with President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, becoming the first head of state to meet the Iraqi leader face to face since the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Chavez’s visit to Iraq came in defiance of criticism from the U.S., a major importer of Venezuelan oil. Chavez said he was received warmly by Hussein, who “honored” him by driving him around Baghdad. Chavez, on a tour to invite the leaders of the 10 Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries member states to a summit next month, said he had “fruitful” talks with Hussein on OPEC, oil prices and bilateral cooperation.