LISBON, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Wednesday denied earlier media reports that he had vowed to harbor Russian military bases in his country.
Such media reports were absolutely "false," Chavez told a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates after they met at the Sao Bento Place in the Portuguese capital, their third meeting in less than a year.
Chavez said he was the victim of a "media war" plotted by the West, noting his reported pledge to Russian leaders to allow Russia to establish military bases on Venezuelan territory was a rumor designed to show the world a "provocative Chavez, a violent Chavez."
"But the Venezuelan people only want peace and justice," he said.
In Caracas, the Venezuelan government also rebutted such media reports.
"This is totally false," said a statement issued by the government Wednesday. "At no moment did the head of state make such an offer."
However, Reuters news agency Wednesday reported that Chavez had said if "Russia's armed forces want to be present in Venezuela, they will be given a warm welcome," in response to a question from a journalist at a press conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
"We are considering issues linked to our strategic partnership, be it in the energy sector, industry, finance, science and technology, or military issues," Chavez said.
Venezuela's arms deals with Russia amount to billions of dollars, with purchases including helicopters, Sukhoi fighter jets and tens of thousands of Kalashnikov assault rifles.
The Venezuelan leader is on a European tour that has taken him to Russia and Belarus and will send him to Spain.
In Portugal, Chavez signed several pacts with Socrates on bilateral cooperation in infrastructure construction, water conservancy, health care, telecommunications and information.
Socrates said both countries are willing to make efforts to boost the ties which "are not only of politics nor economics, but for the two peoples."
