Chavez: Warmer U.S. relations possible

CARACAS, Venezuela, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he hopes Venezuela's relationship with the United States will be warmer under President Barack Obama.

Chavez, in an interview with CNN, said he is "ready to talk to the U.S. president" as he did with President Bill Clinton. Relations between Venezuela and the United States have been frigid the past eight years, with Chavez once calling President George W. Bush a "devil" in a speech to the United Nations.

"I talked to Mr. Clinton a number of times, with his secretary of state," he said. "Even on the phone, we talked with President Clinton several times. Perhaps we can start a new period of respect and relations that would be constructive. I have a faith that that is maybe possible."

Chavez added that the relationship depends on the attitude of Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"We will not accept lack of respect from anybody. We demand respect," Chavez said, adding that the respect must be for all of Latin America.