Pat Robertson Lies, Then Apologizes for Chavez Threat

August 25, 2005

A day after calling for the assassination of Venezuela's

Democratically-elected President Hugo Chavez, rightwing Christian

extremist Pat Robertson has apologized. He said " Is it right to call

for assassination? No, and I apologize for that statement. I spoke in

frustration that we should accommodate the man who thinks the U.S. is

out to kill him, " Robertson said. But incredibly, before Robertson

issued that apology, he went on national television Wednesday and

denied he had ever made the remark. Robertson issued his denial during

an interview with former ambassador-at-large to Venezuela and

outspoken Chavez critic Thor Halvorssen on The 700 Club:

* The 700 Club:

HALVORSSEN: Now, I think that it's very important to also note

your comments were about assassination. The person -- I think that

alternative is lowering to his level.

ROBERTSON:

Wait a minute, I didn't say 'assassination.' I said our special

forces should " take him out, " and " take him out " can be a number of

things including kidnapping. There are a number of ways to take out a

dictator from power besides killing him. I was misinterpreted by the

AP, but that happens all the time.

What is interesting about that statement is the fact that it's not

true. Robertson's comments calling for Chavez' assassination were

actually broadcast on his own program, the 700 Club on Tuesday.

* The 700 Club: ROBERTSON: " You know, I don't know about this

doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to

assassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and do it. "

The White House has resisted calls for President Bush to repudiate

Robertson, who has been a major supporter of President Bush and the

Republican Party, even running as a candidate for president in 1988.

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