Venezuela's Chavez says could shorten decree powers

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Saturday he was not a dictator and could reduce his much-criticized 18-month decree powers to a shorter period if laws were implemented to attend an emergency caused by floods.

"I am capable of asking this National Assembly to overturn the Enabling Law," he told parliament of the measure giving him fast-track decree powers. "In five months we might be able to carry out all the laws to manage the emergency." (Reuters)