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06/13/2004:

"Chavez says Bush is his real adversary in August 15 recall referendum"

Long-standing tension between Caracas and Washington flared anew when President Hugo Chavez, fighting for his job in a recall vote, said US President George W. Bush -- not the Venezuelan opposition -- was his true political foe.

Chavez faces a recall election August 15 that could unseat him.

"Hugo Chavez and George W. Bush will face off in the August 15 referendum," Chavez told supporters. "That is the real confrontation."

He said Venezuela's political battle would play out between the US president, "who wants to take over this country, and myself, who is prepared to do whatever is necessary to defend the country.

"The fight is not between Chavez and" the opposition," he said. "It's between Chavez and Bush. That's the choice."

If 3.75 million voters -- the number who voted for Chavez in 2000 -- vote against him August 15, he will have to step down and a new presidential election will be held. sg.news.yahoo.com