U.S. President George W. Bush carefully avoided taking on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez directly at the 34-nation Summit of the Americas, in what aides said was an effort not to elevate the fiery leader, reported Reuters. Chavez, long an irritant to Washington, sought to antagonize the United States by vowing to bury Bush's proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas, which has been stalled over concerns by some leaders about U.S. agricultural subsidies. Over two days at this seaside Atlantic resort, Bush spoke of Chavez only once, when asked about him by reporters on Friday. Even then, he spoke only in general terms, saying it was important for all leaders to protect democratic institutions in their countries. This was in spite of deep grievances that the United States has with Chavez, a fierce Bush critic who has annoyed Washington by strengthening ties with anti-U.S. states like Cuba and promoting his self-described socialist revolution as a counterweight to U.S. regional influence. Chavez has often accused the United States of plotting his overthrow or assassination, Reuters said. --More 2359 Local Time 2059 GMT
