Chavez's Anti-American circus hits London today

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in London today after a 3 day summit of European Union, Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Vienna, Austria. He has a busy 2 days ahead, meeting London's mayor, Ken Linvingstone, TRade Unionists and guests including Harold Pinter, the Nobel Prize winning playwright, and Bianca Jagger, the actress and political activist.

Although he met Tony Blair on his 2001 visit, one isn't planned this time - perhaps because he describes him as Hitler's sidekick and a "pawn of imperialism".

Blair in the House of Commons in February said Venezuela "should abide by the rules of the international community" and that he would like to see Venezuela's close ally Cuba become a "functioning democracy."

Venezuela's London embassy issued a statement on Thursday, confirming that Chavez would not have any contact with the British government during his visit. The statement did not mention the recent tensions, saying only that Chavez has "already had an official visit to the United Kingdom where he met with the prime minister and other British authorities." There is a useful Chavezian history at the Embassy website.

On Sunday Chavez will address a meeting on Venezuelan social reform and greet supporters at a conference center in central London.

He then gives a lecture on Monday evening at Canning House, an institution that works to strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Britain, Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula.

One wonders what security Sir Ian Blair of that Ilk (noticeably missing from public comment about the 7/7 reports- probably feels he has told enough lies)will offer in the way of insecurity for the visiting Leader. One Imagines the likes of Otto Reich would not be unhappy if his taxi blew up, with him inside it.

CHAVEZ EX - MISTRESS REVEALS ALL

Herma Marksman, who spent 10 years with Hugo describes him confusingly as both a pussy cat and as the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.