VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson has issued an apology for calling for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"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's statement said.

Rev. Jesse Jackson told FOX News that an apology is not enough.

"The fact is that his impact is substantially great," said Jackson. "He supports the government, he is a former Republican presidential candidate. ... His statement carries weight."

Robertson's statement acknowledged the controversy that has surrounded his remarks, but said the situation has shed light on an important topic.

"There are many who disagree with my comments, and I respect their opinions. There are others who think that stopping a dictator is the appropriate course of action," he said. "In any event, the incredible publicity surrounding my remarks has focused our government's attention on a growing problem which has been largely ignored."

Robertson explains in the statement the context of the comment and the reasons why he believes Chavez is a dangerous leader saying that he seeks to overthrow democracies, "found common cause with terrorists," and calls Fidel Castro and Saddam Hussein "comrades."

Jackson, who plans to travel to Venezuela, stressed the danger of Robertson's comments especially in light of the downfall of Saddam Hussein.

"It was illegal for us to go into Iraq on the basis of false information, so we have a credibility problem there," he said. "Our government must be very clear that we are against the desire to overthrow another government."

Jackson told FOX News his trip to Venezuela has been in the works for more than two months, and coincides with the anniversary of the March on Washington. He said he will be there to talk to religious leaders about human rights and pro-democracy concepts, "not assassination and coups."

When asked if he's going to Venezuela this weekend to apologize to Chavez, Jackson said, "Oh no, that's not my role."

The televangelist had previously said Wednesday that his comments were "misinterpreted."

"I didn't say 'assassination,'" Robertson clarified during a broadcast of his "The 700 Club" Wednesday morning. "I said our special forces should go 'take him out,' and 'take him out' could be a number of things, including kidnapping."

He blamed The Associated Press for making him seem to advocate the assassination of a foreign leader.

"There are a number of ways to take out a dictator from power besides killing him," Robertson said. "I was misinterpreted by the AP, but that happens all the time."

However, during the original "700 Club" broadcast Monday night, Robertson clearly mentioned assassination.

"You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we are trying to assassinate him, we should go ahead and do it," Robertson said Monday. "It's a whole lot easier than starting a war, and I don't think any oil shipments will stop."

---

Man, that guy is tap-dancing faster than a toad in a skillet.

A