Four Alaska Native villages that rejected free heating oil from Venezuela have received donations from across the country, The Anchorage Daily News reports.

"The response has been overwhelming," said Dimitri Philemonof, he president of the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association.

The villages rejected the gift, citing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's harsh criticism of President Bush. Their story made the rounds on conservative and national web sites, prompting donations from ordinary Americans and business owners.

Citgo, the oil company owned by the Venezuelan government, is offering fuel valued at about $5 million to 151 Alaska Native villages.

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Donors replace fuel villages refused (The Anchorage Daily News 10/3)
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