Jewish leaders aim to improve relations with Venezuela's Chavez

President Hugo Chavez met with Jewish leaders on Wednesday, pledging to work together against anti-Semitism and open up channels of communication despite strong differences on Mideast politics. Both Chavez and leaders of the World Jewish Congress called the meeting a success. 'There may be some differences of opinion on some issues — on major issues such as Iran and also the Middle East,' Michael Schneider, the organization's secretary-general, said after the meeting. 'But when it comes to anti-Semitism, I think we're on the same page.' 'We mentioned our concerns about anti-Semitism and asked him what his position was,' Schneider said. 'And he said he was certainly not an anti-Semite.' The socialist president said it was a 'very important meeting,' but did not elaborate.