Clinton 'amused' by Chavez handshake controversy

* Clinton defends Obama encounter

* Republicans criticize greeting

* Clinton says does not mean U.S. backs Chavez policies

By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers piled scorn on U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday for shaking Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez's hand last weekend, an encounter Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dismissed as "amusing."

Republicans on the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee condemned the televised greeting between Obama and Chavez, whom Representative Mike Pence labeled a "virulent, anti-American, socialist dictator."

"I found it somewhat amusing, to be honest," Clinton, who was with Obama at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad when he greeted Chavez, told the committee. "President Obama was right in saying 'You know, why should we be afraid of shaking somebody's hand?'"

Pence retorted: "Let me say, with the deepest respect, Madam Secretary, I am not amused."

"He (Chavez) has oppressed the media. He has bullied economic interests in the country. He has blacklisted political opponents from state agencies," Pence said.