Venezuelan Coup and the US involvement
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State Department documents reveal
U.S. dealings with Venezuela's Chavez
U.S. dealings with Venezuela's Chavez
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
By Pablo Bachelet | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Sunday, December 9, 2007
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government eagerly reached out to Venezuelan presidential candidate Hugo Chavez in 1998 and moved quickly to denounce a rumored coup plot against the man who's become one of the Bush administration's archenemies, newly declassified State Department documents obtained by McClatchy reveal.
State Department officials initially appeared dazzled by Chavez's oversized persona and his promise for sweeping reforms, and seemed sincere in their efforts to help him, the documents show. Some of those overtures drew positive responses from Chavez, who said he wanted U.S. help in fighting corruption and drug trafficking.
But as the months passed, American unease grew, and cables from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, began warning of "populism" and "the authoritarian threat which lurked behind his tough policy statements."
McClatchy obtained 53 documents totaling some 200 pages, mostly cables from the embassy, in response to a 2005 Freedom of Information Act request.
The documents — almost of all them redacted for classified or sensitive information, some so heavily that they're little more than blank pages — are a small slice of U.S. government records on Venezuela.
However, they shed new light on the behind-the-scenes deliberations over how to deal with Chavez, a firebrand former lieutenant colonel who led a failed military coup in 1992 but was elected president in a landslide on Dec. 2, 1998.
In meetings with U.S. diplomats and in public speeches, candidate Chavez expressed anger at having been denied a U.S. visa because of the coup attempt but was otherwise friendly, according to the documents. A close Chavez associate told embassy officials that, "We cannot survive without a good relationship with the United States," according to a Sept. 22, 1998, cable.
When rumors spread in 1998 that Army chief Ruben Rojas Perez, the son-in-law of then-President Rafael Caldera, would stage a coup to stop Chavez from winning the presidency, U.S. diplomats told the Venezuelan government that Washington "would react negatively and immediately to any attempt to derail the electoral process or otherwise interfere in the successful, democratic transition of power," according to an Oct. 21, 1998, cable from the U.S. Embassy to Washington.
After Chavez won the election, he asked Colombian President Andres Pastrana for advice on how to establish good relations with Washington, according to a Dec. 23 cable. Pastrana's response: Be straightforward and avoid surprises.
A Jan. 20, 1999, cable setting the scene for a meeting between Chavez and President Bill Clinton a week later said that Chavez's proposals for democratic and constitutional changes could become a model for other nations.
"He has told us that Venezuela's relationship with the U.S. is of transcendental importance and that he wants to do everything he can to improve that relationship," said the embassy report, which was signed by the then-U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, longtime Latin America expert John Maisto. "We want to do the same."
Another document quotes Peter Romero, then the top State Department official for Latin America, telling a group of top U.S. business sector leaders in Caracas that if Chavez accomplished "50 percent of what he says he wants to do, that is good."
But there was some early unease.
A Feb. 9, 1999, cable recounting Chavez's inauguration speech said that he, "left little doubt that anyone who opposed him should be ready to fight" and warned of "flashes of populism" and "the authoritarian threat which lurked behind his tough policy statements."
"We chose to see the glass more than half full," Maisto told McClatchy when asked about the declassified cables.
But as Chavez pressed ahead in 1999 for a new constitution and became friendlier with Cuba, embassy officials grew more concerned. One cable recommended that Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering use an upcoming meeting with Chavez to "express the importance that those changes continue within a democratic, legal, and constitutional framework."
Chavez had reached out to Europe to "counterbalance" U.S influence and "initiated a close relationship with the Castro regime, including what appears to be a close personal relationship with Fidel Castro," the same Aug. 3, 1999, cable said.
Clinton administration officials also were perplexed by Chavez's refusal to allow U.S. counter-drug flights over Venezuela and by a December 1999 refusal to allow a Navy ship to unload military personnel and relief supplies and equipment after massive mudslides that killed thousands, Maisto said in his interview.
Chavez met Clinton twice and President Bush once — in Quebec, Canada in early 2001.
Turning Point?
In October 2001, as the world rallied around Washington following the Sept. 11 attacks, the embassy in Caracas reported a speech in which Chavez noted that, "Venezuela had good relations" with the United States. But he went on to say the same of "several other nations, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Algeria."
By 2001, relations were souring, and after Chavez equated the U.S. war in Afghanistan with the Sept. 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, then-U.S. Ambassador Donna Hrinak was recalled to Washington for consultations.
Chavez's battles with his domestic foes also were intensifying at the time.
A Nov. 7, 2001, cable called attention to a military high command statement of support for Chavez, and noted, "This town is full of coup rumors, something that was not the case of a few weeks ago."
"At present we do not anticipate any imminent extra-constitutional move against Chavez," the cable added, "but cannot guarantee that none will happen."
A few weeks later, the State Department went public with a warning against any coup. "We would categorically reject any attempt to remove Chavez," Lino Gutierrez, the top State Department official in charge of Latin American affairs, told The Miami Herald.
Amid violent street protests, a military coup ousted Chavez April 11-13, 2002, only to see him return to power on April 14 following massive demonstrations. Chavez and his allies have alleged ever since that Washington was behind the coup, and several administration statements suggesting that Chavez's actions had sparked the coup only fueled the suspicions.
A State Department inspector general's investigation later found no evidence of U.S. wrongdoing. "We were trying to figure out what the hell was going on," said Maisto, at the time assigned to the White House's National Security Council staff.
The State Department released to McClatchy only one cable on the coup, an April 13, 2002 dispatch that mostly narrated the events of the day.
As time passed, the embassy cables became devoid of any admiration for Chavez or his politics. A May 15, 2003, report called Venezuela an "illiberal democracy" and concluded that Chavez had grown "stronger than at any period since December 2001'."
"With no systems in place and none on the horizon, all decisions are made by Chavez himself — and are capricious," the report said. "The model appears to be the long lines of CEOs, movie stars, and politicians seeking audiences with Fidel Castro to petition him for favors."
But Chavez was still following the constitution "carefully enough" to avoid foreign censure, the cable added.
"We must not delude ourselves about the extent of our leverage here," the text said. "Chavez is funding his Bolivarian revolution with the proceeds from the Venezuelan petroleum industry and outside pressure is unlikely to produce great results."
Later cables grew darker still.
A Nov. 3, 2003, dispatch tells of U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro urging a Venezuelan official to halt the continuous government allegations of a 2002 CIA coup plot and avoid the rounds of mutual public verbal sniping that came to be known as "microphone diplomacy."
"If the government wanted to avoid microphone diplomacy, this was the wrong way to go about it," Shapiro said, adding that the Venezuelan government had put the life of a U.S. business executive at risk by falsely calling him a CIA agent.
In December, the No. 2 Latin American diplomat at the State Department, Peter DeShazo, visited Caracas and relations thawed a bit. Both sides congratulated each other for refraining from "microphone diplomacy" for six weeks.
The respite didn't last.
On March 5, 2004, Chavez convened foreign diplomats for a speech. Suspecting an anti-U.S. tirade, Shapiro sent his deputy, Stephen McFarland, with instructions "to leave if appropriate," according to a cable sent the same day. Having a U.S. diplomat walk out of a presidential speech is extremely rare.
After Chavez accused the United States of supporting coup plotters, the cable reported, McFarland "stood up, looked at Chavez in the eye, and walked out without comment."
Shapiro would later recall that the incident went largely unnoticed, in part because McFarland was seated far back in the audience.
On May 5, 2004, Shapiro sent another cable, warning that a pro-Chavez group was threatening to sue him for alleged involvement in a 2002 military coup against Chavez.
"The government's charges are baseless and they know it," the cable said, "but the government repeats them, presumably in hopes of convincing voters that Chavez and the government are the defenders of Venezuelan sovereignty against an invented U.S. threat."
CHAVEZ TIMELINE
A chronology of key events involving Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez:
Feb. 4, 1992 — He leads a failed military coup against elected President Carlos Andres Perez. He surrenders and is jailed.
March 28, 1994 — He's freed under a presidential pardon.
Dec. 6 1998 — Chavez wins the presidency with 56 percent of the vote.
Feb. 2, 1999 — Chavez is sworn in as president and announces that he'll push for a constitutional assembly.
April 25, 1999 — Voters agree to dissolve the legislature and elect a constitutional assembly.
Dec. 15, 1999 — The new "Bolivarian Constitution" is approved by 71 percent of voters.
July 30, 2000 — Chavez is re-elected under the new constitution.
November 2001 — Under powers granted to him by the new legislature, Chavez issues 47 laws by decree. The move sparks protests that spread over the next months.
April 9, 2002 — Businesses and unions call a nationwide strike against Chavez.
April 11, 2002 — After street clashes leave at least 12 dead, military officers ask Chavez to resign and take him into custody.
April 14, 2002 — He's released and returns to power amid massive demonstrations in support of his presidency.
Aug. 16, 2004 — He wins a recall referendum with 58 percent of the vote, vows to carry on with his leftist "revolution" and urges Washington to "respect" his government.
Compiled by Monika Leal, Miami Herald News Researcher
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/22814.html
c/s
I was "attempting" to show my continued disgust and frustration with the CIA and their constant meddling. That article was deep.
my bad
I was trying out a new font (Arial) to see if changing text style/size, etc., might attract some attention or encourage someone to read. I highlighted portions of the article I thought were interesting -- but not necessarily (a) to indicate my approval of what is stated, (b) to indicate that which was stated is true, or (c) to advance a a theory or to dispell or otherwise disprove any particular theory, opinion, fact or thing held out as fact. Did you think I was doing that ???
Crap? - maybe. Additional facts not previously known? maybe. Information to consider along with all other information on the subject? - you betcha!
QueEx
Nah its just like posting it in all caps. It dominates a large portion of the page and the information isn't exactly the greatest in regards to quality.
I'm all for the larger type- maybe its these xmas colors too.
The information seems less than objective due to the way it frames the US position but leaves out key things like US cash to fund anti-chavez campaigns and the coup stuff that basically contradicts the whole article's stance
Why is that ALWAYS the case? More importantly, the "balanced" stories never make the headlines. You gotta search hard for it.
because journalism has overtaken lawyers as a profession for lying sacks of shit
Why is that ALWAYS the case? More importantly, the "balanced" stories never make the headlines. You gotta search hard for it.
Not going to argue. I also find it quite disturbing how most news outlets are owned by several major corporations. I ask people all the time, how come you NEVER hear about GE's products malfunctions and hazards. Those B****** own a network and are in collusion with the other company's not to let unbiased news get out. Got to search overseas for most of my news.
man if you want to know the direction of the mainstream - the economist is good
if you want to know what's really going on check multiple sources - if you read the same story from different sources of varying backgrounds you can usually tell what isn't up for interpretation
ny times and wapo I pretty much never fuck with unless its bullshit/unimportant
the la times used to be good but now more shill bullshit
mcclatchy is pretty good i guess. ajc is good at times
OH, I thought you had some news on this or something...
Hi BeautifulOH, I thought you had some news on this or something...
<font size="5"><center>Has defeat at the polls deterred Chávez?</font size></center>
Miami Herald
BY MARIFELI PEREZ-STABLE
mps_opinion@comcast.net
January 31, 2007
Hugo Chávez is all over the place. One day, he's basking in the release of two Colombian women held hostage by the FARC for years. The next he's asking Alvaro Uribe's government to grace the narcoguerrillas with ''belligerent status,'' a nonstarter if there ever was one. A few days later, he's sounding the alarm on an imminent aggression from Colombia.
At home, Venezuela's president is also perambulant. ''Review, rectification and relaunch'' are his new-found callings. Cabinet reshuffles, an amnesty to political opponents and a belated recognition of the business sector as ''part of the nation'' suggest nascent steps toward moderation.
At the same time, Chávez has hinted at a possible recall referendum in 2010 along with a constitutional amendment on indefinite reelection. Then again, he might ask the National Assembly -- mostly in his grip -- to enact such an amendment. Never mind that the Assembly can only make minor constitutional changes, and indefinite reelection doesn't qualify.
Chávez is still smarting from the Dec. 2 No vote, which citizens cast largely to keep him from a lifetime presidency. He'd grown so accustomed to winning elections that he never countenanced losing. After berating the three million citizens who voted for him in the 2006 presidential election but failed to show up at the polls two months ago, Chávez appears to have taken some stock of his defeat.
Appearances, however, can be deceiving. Are his cabinet changes a move from radicalism to moderation? Maybe. Yet, might not competence be a better litmus test? The new ministers best the old ones, which isn't saying much. There is, moreover, no indication of a willingness to change at least some stripes to address the concerns that kept three million erstwhile Chavistas from the polls on Dec. 2: inflation, insecurity and corruption.
Take inflation. With price controls in effect, Chávez recently announced an increase in milk prices to spur production. Concurrently, he threatened producers with confiscation if output doesn't rise or if they export milk to reap better prices. Price controls without an expiration date spell inflation and, consequently, disaster. If there's a serious reconsideration of Chavismo's macroeconomic policy going on, it's a well-kept secret.
Similarly, the amnesty -- in principle, laudable -- is mostly smoke and mirrors since it doesn't apply to political opponents who live abroad or to those responsible for the deaths that occurred during the failed coup of April 2, 2002. Yet, a 1994 amnesty pardoned and freed Chávez and his cohorts, even though their attempts to overthrow the government in 1992 resulted in even more fatalities.
Chávez, no doubt, faces serious challenges. The No brought to the fore tensions within Chavismo which will not be easily reconciled. Can those who want to advance the ''revolution'' as if Dec. 2 never happened and those who want to consolidate and regroup before moving forward find middle ground? Will local and regional Chavistas now be emboldened to assert their independence from Chávez?
Though hardly out, Chávez has lost the aura of invincibility that had bolstered his leadership. If, indeed, he's to leave the presidency in 2013, Chávez's powers of persuasion will quickly diminish.
His supporters, for example, may be tempted to fend for themselves in October's municipal and regional elections. Even if Chavistas win most contests, Chavismo will not likely have the stranglehold it has today which is tantamount to a loss.
Until Dec. 2, the ni-ni sector -- citizens who are neither with the government nor the opposition -- largely broke for Chávez at the polls. To win them back, Chavismo would have to quickly metamorphose into social democracy. One in a million, I'd say. False alarms about a war with Colombia and recalcitrant insistence on indefinite reelection confirm No voters of the rightfulness of their choice.
On Jan. 23, eight opposition parties agreed to field unity candidates in October. Podemos -- a party formerly allied with the government -- will put forward its own slates. Two other parties once supportive of Chávez will likewise unite for those elections. Good news, indeed. Still, we shouldn't forget that Dec. 2 was Chávez's to lose, and he did. The opposition has yet to win.
Marifeli Pérez-Stable is vice president for democratic governance at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C., and a professor at Florida International University.
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/400550.html
Miami Herald
BY MARIFELI PEREZ-STABLE
mps_opinion@comcast.net
January 31, 2007
Hugo Chávez is all over the place. One day, he's basking in the release of two Colombian women held hostage by the FARC for years. The next he's asking Alvaro Uribe's government to grace the narcoguerrillas with ''belligerent status,'' a nonstarter if there ever was one. A few days later, he's sounding the alarm on an imminent aggression from Colombia.
At home, Venezuela's president is also perambulant. ''Review, rectification and relaunch'' are his new-found callings. Cabinet reshuffles, an amnesty to political opponents and a belated recognition of the business sector as ''part of the nation'' suggest nascent steps toward moderation.
At the same time, Chávez has hinted at a possible recall referendum in 2010 along with a constitutional amendment on indefinite reelection. Then again, he might ask the National Assembly -- mostly in his grip -- to enact such an amendment. Never mind that the Assembly can only make minor constitutional changes, and indefinite reelection doesn't qualify.
Chávez is still smarting from the Dec. 2 No vote, which citizens cast largely to keep him from a lifetime presidency. He'd grown so accustomed to winning elections that he never countenanced losing. After berating the three million citizens who voted for him in the 2006 presidential election but failed to show up at the polls two months ago, Chávez appears to have taken some stock of his defeat.
Appearances, however, can be deceiving. Are his cabinet changes a move from radicalism to moderation? Maybe. Yet, might not competence be a better litmus test? The new ministers best the old ones, which isn't saying much. There is, moreover, no indication of a willingness to change at least some stripes to address the concerns that kept three million erstwhile Chavistas from the polls on Dec. 2: inflation, insecurity and corruption.
Take inflation. With price controls in effect, Chávez recently announced an increase in milk prices to spur production. Concurrently, he threatened producers with confiscation if output doesn't rise or if they export milk to reap better prices. Price controls without an expiration date spell inflation and, consequently, disaster. If there's a serious reconsideration of Chavismo's macroeconomic policy going on, it's a well-kept secret.
Similarly, the amnesty -- in principle, laudable -- is mostly smoke and mirrors since it doesn't apply to political opponents who live abroad or to those responsible for the deaths that occurred during the failed coup of April 2, 2002. Yet, a 1994 amnesty pardoned and freed Chávez and his cohorts, even though their attempts to overthrow the government in 1992 resulted in even more fatalities.
Chávez, no doubt, faces serious challenges. The No brought to the fore tensions within Chavismo which will not be easily reconciled. Can those who want to advance the ''revolution'' as if Dec. 2 never happened and those who want to consolidate and regroup before moving forward find middle ground? Will local and regional Chavistas now be emboldened to assert their independence from Chávez?
Though hardly out, Chávez has lost the aura of invincibility that had bolstered his leadership. If, indeed, he's to leave the presidency in 2013, Chávez's powers of persuasion will quickly diminish.
His supporters, for example, may be tempted to fend for themselves in October's municipal and regional elections. Even if Chavistas win most contests, Chavismo will not likely have the stranglehold it has today which is tantamount to a loss.
Until Dec. 2, the ni-ni sector -- citizens who are neither with the government nor the opposition -- largely broke for Chávez at the polls. To win them back, Chavismo would have to quickly metamorphose into social democracy. One in a million, I'd say. False alarms about a war with Colombia and recalcitrant insistence on indefinite reelection confirm No voters of the rightfulness of their choice.
On Jan. 23, eight opposition parties agreed to field unity candidates in October. Podemos -- a party formerly allied with the government -- will put forward its own slates. Two other parties once supportive of Chávez will likewise unite for those elections. Good news, indeed. Still, we shouldn't forget that Dec. 2 was Chávez's to lose, and he did. The opposition has yet to win.
Marifeli Pérez-Stable is vice president for democratic governance at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C., and a professor at Florida International University.
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/400550.html
Please watch this documentary if hasn't been posted already.
http://nw0.info/index.php?p=Documentaries/Chavez - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised/
http://nw0.info/index.php?p=Documentaries/Chavez - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised/
<font size="5"><center>Exxon wins $12b freeze on Venezuela assets</font size><font size="4">
Company preparing to dispute nationalization of large oil project</font size></center>
MSNBC
Feb. 7, 2008
NEW YORK - Exxon Mobil Corp. has secured court orders to freeze more than $12 billion in worldwide assets of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, as it prepares to dispute the nationalization of a multi-billion dollar oil project.
The move limits Petroleos de Venezuela's room to maneuver as it fends off challenges from major Western oil companies over President Hugo Chavez's 2007 decision to nationalize four heavy oil projects in the Orinoco Basin, one of the richest oil deposits in the world.
Exxon and ConocoPhillips opted to walk away from the contracts rather than stay on in a minority role. Both have filed arbitration proceedings with the World Bank seeking compensation and Conoco "continues to discuss an amicable resolution specific to the assets that were expropriated in Venezuela," Conoco spokesman Bill Tanner said.
ExxonMobil has so far been the most aggressive in fighting back. The Irving, Texas-based oil major's legal action essentially seeks to ring-fence Venezuelan assets ahead of any decision by the arbitration panel.
According to documents filed last month in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Exxon Mobil has secured an "order of attachment" on about $300 million in cash held by PdVSA. A hearing to confirm the order is scheduled in New York for Feb. 13. Exxon also filed documents with the New York court showing it had secured a freeze on $12 billion on PdVSA's worldwide assets from a U.K. court.
"On Jan. 24, the High Court of England and Wales was satisfied that there is a real risk that PdVSA will dissipate its assets and accordingly entered a Worldwide Freezing Order ex parte," Exxon said in the filing to the New York court. The order prohibits PdVSA from "disposing of its assets worldwide up to a value of $12 billion whether directly or indirectly held."
Further hearings on the $12 billion freeze are scheduled on Feb. 22, according to Exxon's filing.
In a statement, Exxon Mobil spokesperson Margaret Ross confirmed the court filings. She added that the company "has obtained attachment orders from courts in the Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles against PdVSA assets in each of these jurisdictions up to $12 billion." Exxon said the orders are subject to further review by the courts. "We will not comment further on legal proceedings, she said.
In a filing, PdVSA disputed the need for a freeze. In a Jan. 24 response disputing orders of attachment from Dec. 27 and Jan. 8, PdVSA said Exxon Mobil "has failed to sustain its burden of establishing that any arbitration award it obtains may be rendered ineffectual without provisional relief." A PdVSA spokesman declined to comment.
Exxon's move signals an aggressive response to the trend of resource-rich countries flexing their muscle over the large oil majors. Since oil prices began skyrocketing earlier in the decade, oil producing nations have grown bolder in their dealings with publicly traded companies active on their territories by demanding larger stakes in existing projects and raising taxes.
Venezuela will pay two European oil companies that were partners in other Orinoco heavy oil projects less than half the estimated market value of their stakes, according to a copy of the compensation agreement reviewed by Dow Jones Newswires.
That agreement offers an inkling of what ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips could be expecting as they carry on compensation talks with PdVSA.
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23057709/
Company preparing to dispute nationalization of large oil project</font size></center>
MSNBC
Feb. 7, 2008
NEW YORK - Exxon Mobil Corp. has secured court orders to freeze more than $12 billion in worldwide assets of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, as it prepares to dispute the nationalization of a multi-billion dollar oil project.
The move limits Petroleos de Venezuela's room to maneuver as it fends off challenges from major Western oil companies over President Hugo Chavez's 2007 decision to nationalize four heavy oil projects in the Orinoco Basin, one of the richest oil deposits in the world.
Exxon and ConocoPhillips opted to walk away from the contracts rather than stay on in a minority role. Both have filed arbitration proceedings with the World Bank seeking compensation and Conoco "continues to discuss an amicable resolution specific to the assets that were expropriated in Venezuela," Conoco spokesman Bill Tanner said.
ExxonMobil has so far been the most aggressive in fighting back. The Irving, Texas-based oil major's legal action essentially seeks to ring-fence Venezuelan assets ahead of any decision by the arbitration panel.
According to documents filed last month in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Exxon Mobil has secured an "order of attachment" on about $300 million in cash held by PdVSA. A hearing to confirm the order is scheduled in New York for Feb. 13. Exxon also filed documents with the New York court showing it had secured a freeze on $12 billion on PdVSA's worldwide assets from a U.K. court.
"On Jan. 24, the High Court of England and Wales was satisfied that there is a real risk that PdVSA will dissipate its assets and accordingly entered a Worldwide Freezing Order ex parte," Exxon said in the filing to the New York court. The order prohibits PdVSA from "disposing of its assets worldwide up to a value of $12 billion whether directly or indirectly held."
Further hearings on the $12 billion freeze are scheduled on Feb. 22, according to Exxon's filing.
In a statement, Exxon Mobil spokesperson Margaret Ross confirmed the court filings. She added that the company "has obtained attachment orders from courts in the Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles against PdVSA assets in each of these jurisdictions up to $12 billion." Exxon said the orders are subject to further review by the courts. "We will not comment further on legal proceedings, she said.
In a filing, PdVSA disputed the need for a freeze. In a Jan. 24 response disputing orders of attachment from Dec. 27 and Jan. 8, PdVSA said Exxon Mobil "has failed to sustain its burden of establishing that any arbitration award it obtains may be rendered ineffectual without provisional relief." A PdVSA spokesman declined to comment.
Exxon's move signals an aggressive response to the trend of resource-rich countries flexing their muscle over the large oil majors. Since oil prices began skyrocketing earlier in the decade, oil producing nations have grown bolder in their dealings with publicly traded companies active on their territories by demanding larger stakes in existing projects and raising taxes.
Venezuela will pay two European oil companies that were partners in other Orinoco heavy oil projects less than half the estimated market value of their stakes, according to a copy of the compensation agreement reviewed by Dow Jones Newswires.
That agreement offers an inkling of what ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips could be expecting as they carry on compensation talks with PdVSA.
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23057709/
BBC NEWS
Venezuela threatens to cut US oil
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has threatened to cut off oil supplies to the US unless it halts what he calls its "economic war" against his country.
His warning came days after US oil giant Exxon Mobil won orders in US, UK and Dutch courts to freeze billions of dollars of Venezuelan oil assets.
Exxon wants more compensation from the Chavez government after it took control of Exxon oil projects last year.
The US is the biggest market for Venezuela's heavy crude oil exports.
President Chavez has threatened several times before to stop sending Venezuelan oil to the US but so far not done so.
Nevertheless, his comments during his weekly televised address, took sharp aim at Exxon Mobil and, by extension, the Bush administration.
He described Exxon's management as imperialist bandits who form part of a US government-backed campaign to destabilise Venezuela.
"If you end up freezing [Venezuelan] assets and it harms us, we're going to harm you," Mr Chavez said.
"Do you know how? We aren't going to send oil to the US. Take note, Mr Bush, Mr Danger."
Long dispute
At the heart of the dispute is last year's decision to take over oil projects in the Orinoco Belt, a move Mr Chavez has argued will bring billions of dollars back to the Venezuelan people.
Exxon Mobil refused to sell a majority stake to the Venezuelan government.
It has taken its case for compensation to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, a process that could take years.
It has not indicated how much compensation it wants for the 41.7% stake in the Orinoco Belt oil field - worth an estimated $750m (£370m).
Last week, the company won temporary court orders in the UK, the Netherlands and the Caribbean freezing Venezuelan assets worth up to $12bn (£6bn).
Another order in a New York court froze up to $315m of funds of the state-run Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA.
Further hearings are scheduled later this month in New York and London.
It will be a tough fight, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas.
Mr Chavez is a strong leader who rails against what he calls the evils of capitalism while Exxon is renowned as a tough corporate player.
Cutting off oil deliveries to the US would be damaging to Caracas as well as Washington.
The US is not only Venezuela's biggest market but is also home to refineries that specialise in the heavy sour crude oil Venezuela exports.
The threat, then, may be too risky for Mr Chavez to carry out, our correspondent says.
What is your reaction to President Chavez's threat? Are you worried about being affected? Send us your comments using the form below.
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Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7238214.stm
Published: 2008/02/11 11:50:30 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Venezuela threatens to cut US oil
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has threatened to cut off oil supplies to the US unless it halts what he calls its "economic war" against his country.
His warning came days after US oil giant Exxon Mobil won orders in US, UK and Dutch courts to freeze billions of dollars of Venezuelan oil assets.
Exxon wants more compensation from the Chavez government after it took control of Exxon oil projects last year.
The US is the biggest market for Venezuela's heavy crude oil exports.
President Chavez has threatened several times before to stop sending Venezuelan oil to the US but so far not done so.
Nevertheless, his comments during his weekly televised address, took sharp aim at Exxon Mobil and, by extension, the Bush administration.
He described Exxon's management as imperialist bandits who form part of a US government-backed campaign to destabilise Venezuela.
"If you end up freezing [Venezuelan] assets and it harms us, we're going to harm you," Mr Chavez said.
"Do you know how? We aren't going to send oil to the US. Take note, Mr Bush, Mr Danger."
Long dispute
At the heart of the dispute is last year's decision to take over oil projects in the Orinoco Belt, a move Mr Chavez has argued will bring billions of dollars back to the Venezuelan people.
Exxon Mobil refused to sell a majority stake to the Venezuelan government.
It has taken its case for compensation to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, a process that could take years.
It has not indicated how much compensation it wants for the 41.7% stake in the Orinoco Belt oil field - worth an estimated $750m (£370m).
Last week, the company won temporary court orders in the UK, the Netherlands and the Caribbean freezing Venezuelan assets worth up to $12bn (£6bn).
Another order in a New York court froze up to $315m of funds of the state-run Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA.
Further hearings are scheduled later this month in New York and London.
It will be a tough fight, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas.
Mr Chavez is a strong leader who rails against what he calls the evils of capitalism while Exxon is renowned as a tough corporate player.
Cutting off oil deliveries to the US would be damaging to Caracas as well as Washington.
The US is not only Venezuela's biggest market but is also home to refineries that specialise in the heavy sour crude oil Venezuela exports.
The threat, then, may be too risky for Mr Chavez to carry out, our correspondent says.
What is your reaction to President Chavez's threat? Are you worried about being affected? Send us your comments using the form below.
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Comments
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7238214.stm
Published: 2008/02/11 11:50:30 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
[FLASH]http://www.youtube.com/v/J1zZNbqi53o&rel=1[/FLASH]
WAR ON DEMOCRACY DVD RIP
Use link below to download the full video in dvd quality, that you can burn to a disc and watch on your television
http://www.bgol.us/board/showthread.php?t=239068
<p>
<hr noshade color="#d90000" size="12"></hr><p>
And so it begins.
Bush was not going to let Chavez slide before he left office. They tried a coup and other measures but it did not work. Cheney and the boys are playing for keeps now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chavez warns of war with Colombia
By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 49 minutes ago
CARACAS, Venezuela - Warning that Colombia could spark a war, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sent tanks and thousands of troops to the countries' border Sunday and ordered his government's embassy in Bogota closed.
ADVERTISEMENT
The leftist leader warned Colombia's U.S.-allied government that Venezuela will not permit acts like Saturday's killing of top rebel leader Raul Reyes and 16 other Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrillas at a camp across the border in Ecuador.
"Mr. Defense Minister, move 10 battalions to the border with Colombia for me, immediately — tank battalions, deploy the air force," Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio program. "We don't want war, but we aren't going to permit the U.S. empire, which is the master (of Colombia) ... to come to divide us."
He ordered the Venezuelan Embassy in Bogota closed and said all embassy personnel would be withdrawn. It pushes already tense relations between the South American neighbors to their lowest point yet, with potentially far-reach effects on billions of dollars in cross-border trade.
Though Chavez didn't say how many troops he was sending, a Venezuelan battalion traditionally has some 600 soldiers — meaning some 6,000 could be headed to the border.
Chavez called the Colombian government "a terrorist state" as he sided with the leftist rebels it has battled for decades, saying its military "invaded Ecuador, flagrantly violated Ecuador's sovereignty."
Neither Colombia's foreign minister nor the country's military leadership would comment on Chavez's latest move when pressed by reporters for comment Sunday as they left a funeral service in Bogota for a Colombian soldier killed in Saturday's raid.
Speaking in Texas, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said officials were monitoring the situation.
"This is an odd reaction by Venezuela to Colombia's efforts against the FARC, a terrorist organization that continues to hold Colombians, Americans and others hostage," Johndroe said.
Chavez said he had just spoken to Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa and that Ecuador was also sending troops to its border with Colombia. Chavez said his Ecuadorean ally told him that Uribe had lied and that the rebels were killed while asleep "in their pajamas."
"This is something very serious. This could be the start of a war in South America," Chavez said. He warned Colombian President Alvaro Uribe: "If it occurs to you to do this in Venezuela, President Uribe, I'll send some Sukhois" — Russian warplanes recently bought by Venezuela.
He called Uribe "a criminal" accusing him of being a "lapdog" of Washington saying "Dracula's fangs (are) are covered in blood."
The slaying of Reyes and 16 other guerrillas, Chavez said, "wasn't any combat. It was a cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated."
"We pay tribute to a true revolutionary, who was Raul Reyes," Chavez said, recalling that he had met rebel in Brazil in 1995 and calling him a "good revolutionary."
"The Colombian government has become the Israel of Latin America," an agitated Chavez said, mentioning another country that he has criticized for its military strikes. "We aren't going to permit Colombia to become the Israel of these lands. ... Uribe, we aren't going to permit you."
"Someday Colombia will be freed from the hand of the (U.S.) empire," Chavez said. "We have to liberate Colombia," he added, saying Colombia's people will eventually do away with its government.
Chavez maintains warm relations with the Colombia's largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and has sought to play a role as mediator in the conflict despite his growing conflict with Colombia's government.
Colombia and Venezuela have been locked in a diplomatic crisis since November, when Uribe ended Chavez's official role negotiating a proposed hostages-for-prisoners swap.
Nevertheless, the FARC freed four hostages to Venezuelan officials last week, and they were reunited with their families in Caracas. It was the second unilateral release by the FARC this year.
Chavez has recently angered Uribe by urging world leaders to classify the leftist rebels as "insurgents" rather than "terrorists."
The FARC has proposed trading some 40 remaining high-value captives, including former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. defense contractors, for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.
In Ecuador, army Gen. Fabian Narvaez told The Associated Press that soldiers had found the bodies of 15 rebels and that soldiers planned to hand the bodies over to Ecuadorean officials, who will conduct forensic exams.
He said three Ecuadorean battalions have been stationed in the area in the country's northeastern jungle since Saturday, just a few miles from Colombian territory.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080302/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/venezuela_colombia
Bush was not going to let Chavez slide before he left office. They tried a coup and other measures but it did not work. Cheney and the boys are playing for keeps now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chavez warns of war with Colombia
By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 49 minutes ago
CARACAS, Venezuela - Warning that Colombia could spark a war, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sent tanks and thousands of troops to the countries' border Sunday and ordered his government's embassy in Bogota closed.
ADVERTISEMENT
The leftist leader warned Colombia's U.S.-allied government that Venezuela will not permit acts like Saturday's killing of top rebel leader Raul Reyes and 16 other Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrillas at a camp across the border in Ecuador.
"Mr. Defense Minister, move 10 battalions to the border with Colombia for me, immediately — tank battalions, deploy the air force," Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio program. "We don't want war, but we aren't going to permit the U.S. empire, which is the master (of Colombia) ... to come to divide us."
He ordered the Venezuelan Embassy in Bogota closed and said all embassy personnel would be withdrawn. It pushes already tense relations between the South American neighbors to their lowest point yet, with potentially far-reach effects on billions of dollars in cross-border trade.
Though Chavez didn't say how many troops he was sending, a Venezuelan battalion traditionally has some 600 soldiers — meaning some 6,000 could be headed to the border.
Chavez called the Colombian government "a terrorist state" as he sided with the leftist rebels it has battled for decades, saying its military "invaded Ecuador, flagrantly violated Ecuador's sovereignty."
Neither Colombia's foreign minister nor the country's military leadership would comment on Chavez's latest move when pressed by reporters for comment Sunday as they left a funeral service in Bogota for a Colombian soldier killed in Saturday's raid.
Speaking in Texas, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said officials were monitoring the situation.
"This is an odd reaction by Venezuela to Colombia's efforts against the FARC, a terrorist organization that continues to hold Colombians, Americans and others hostage," Johndroe said.
Chavez said he had just spoken to Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa and that Ecuador was also sending troops to its border with Colombia. Chavez said his Ecuadorean ally told him that Uribe had lied and that the rebels were killed while asleep "in their pajamas."
"This is something very serious. This could be the start of a war in South America," Chavez said. He warned Colombian President Alvaro Uribe: "If it occurs to you to do this in Venezuela, President Uribe, I'll send some Sukhois" — Russian warplanes recently bought by Venezuela.
He called Uribe "a criminal" accusing him of being a "lapdog" of Washington saying "Dracula's fangs (are) are covered in blood."
The slaying of Reyes and 16 other guerrillas, Chavez said, "wasn't any combat. It was a cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated."
"We pay tribute to a true revolutionary, who was Raul Reyes," Chavez said, recalling that he had met rebel in Brazil in 1995 and calling him a "good revolutionary."
"The Colombian government has become the Israel of Latin America," an agitated Chavez said, mentioning another country that he has criticized for its military strikes. "We aren't going to permit Colombia to become the Israel of these lands. ... Uribe, we aren't going to permit you."
"Someday Colombia will be freed from the hand of the (U.S.) empire," Chavez said. "We have to liberate Colombia," he added, saying Colombia's people will eventually do away with its government.
Chavez maintains warm relations with the Colombia's largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and has sought to play a role as mediator in the conflict despite his growing conflict with Colombia's government.
Colombia and Venezuela have been locked in a diplomatic crisis since November, when Uribe ended Chavez's official role negotiating a proposed hostages-for-prisoners swap.
Nevertheless, the FARC freed four hostages to Venezuelan officials last week, and they were reunited with their families in Caracas. It was the second unilateral release by the FARC this year.
Chavez has recently angered Uribe by urging world leaders to classify the leftist rebels as "insurgents" rather than "terrorists."
The FARC has proposed trading some 40 remaining high-value captives, including former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. defense contractors, for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.
In Ecuador, army Gen. Fabian Narvaez told The Associated Press that soldiers had found the bodies of 15 rebels and that soldiers planned to hand the bodies over to Ecuadorean officials, who will conduct forensic exams.
He said three Ecuadorean battalions have been stationed in the area in the country's northeastern jungle since Saturday, just a few miles from Colombian territory.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080302/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/venezuela_colombia
US calling Venezuela Terrorists 03/15/2008
Here we go....
Recall Aaron Russo's quotes from Nick Rockefeller:
Russo states that Rockefeller told him, "Eleven months before 9/11 happened there was going to be an event and out of that event we were going to invade Afghanistan to run pipelines through the Caspian sea, we were going to invade Iraq to take over the oil fields and establish a base in the Middle East, and we'd go after Chavez in Venezuela."
Rockefeller also told Russo that he would see soldiers looking in caves in Afghanistan and Pakistan for Osama bin Laden and that there would be an "Endless war on terror where there's no real enemy and the whole thing is a giant hoax," so that "the government could take over the American people," according to Russo, who said that Rockefeller was cynically laughing and joking as he made the astounding prediction.
How much more proof do, We the People need?
Here we go....
Recall Aaron Russo's quotes from Nick Rockefeller:
Russo states that Rockefeller told him, "Eleven months before 9/11 happened there was going to be an event and out of that event we were going to invade Afghanistan to run pipelines through the Caspian sea, we were going to invade Iraq to take over the oil fields and establish a base in the Middle East, and we'd go after Chavez in Venezuela."
Rockefeller also told Russo that he would see soldiers looking in caves in Afghanistan and Pakistan for Osama bin Laden and that there would be an "Endless war on terror where there's no real enemy and the whole thing is a giant hoax," so that "the government could take over the American people," according to Russo, who said that Rockefeller was cynically laughing and joking as he made the astounding prediction.
How much more proof do, We the People need?
The Venezuela-Hezbollah Connection ?
<font size="5"><center>U.S.: Two Venezuelans are
supporting terrorism</font size></center>
Lebanese police near a U.S. diplomat's
motorcade that was attacked by Hezbollah's
Shiite supporters Wednesday.
CNN
From Terry Frieden
CNN Justice Producer
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. government designated two Venezuelans, including a diplomat, as supporters of international terrorism Wednesday for what it called their support of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Wednesday.
The U.S. action highlights the administration's concern over what it calls a growing relationship between the Caracas government and Hezbollah, which Washington has branded a terrorist organization.
The largest Shiite Muslim political movement in Lebanon, Hezbollah maintains an armed force that fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006. It demonstrated its muscle in street battles with supporters of Lebanon's government in May, bringing the country to the brink of civil war.
"It is extremely troubling to see the government of Venezuela employing and providing safe harbor to Hezbollah facilitators and fundraisers," Adam Szubin, director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement announcing the decision. "We will continue to expose the global nature of Hezbollah's terrorist support network, and we call on responsible governments worldwide to disrupt and dismantle this activity."
The Bush administration has raised alarms about Venezuela's ties to groups it considers terrorist organizations. A recent State Department report criticized ties between the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and leftist rebels in neighboring Colombia, and it expressed concern about new Venezuelan ties with Iran and Cuba -- countries Washington has designated as state sponsors of terror.
The designation targets Ghazi Nasr al-Din, a Venezuelan diplomat assigned to a post in the country's embassy in Lebanon. He was previously assigned to the embassy in Syria.
The U.S. statement said Nasr al Din's activities included arranging the travel of Hezbollah members to attend a training course in Iran.
Also named by the U.S. government is Fawzi Kan'an, a Caracas resident who owns two travel agencies. He is described by U.S. authorities as a "supporter and a significant provider of financial support to Hezbollah."
Kan'an "has met with senior Hezbollah officials in Lebanon to discuss operational issues including possible kidnapping and terrorist attacks," the Treasury Department said. The statement said he had also traveled with Hezbollah members to Iran for training.
The U.S. action freezes any assets the individuals and the travel agencies may have in the U.S. and prohibits any U.S. business transactions with the men or the travel businesses.
The Justice Department had no comment on whether a criminal investigation had been opened into possible violations of U.S. laws. But both Treasury and Justice officials stressed that the action was taken only after a thorough inter-agency process that also included the State Department.
As part of an agreement that ended a months-long standoff, the Hezbollah-led opposition will hold 11 of the 30 seats in Lebanon's Cabinet.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/06/18/venezuela.hezbollah/
<font size="5"><center>U.S.: Two Venezuelans are
supporting terrorism</font size></center>
Lebanese police near a U.S. diplomat's
motorcade that was attacked by Hezbollah's
Shiite supporters Wednesday.
CNN
From Terry Frieden
CNN Justice Producer
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. government designated two Venezuelans, including a diplomat, as supporters of international terrorism Wednesday for what it called their support of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Wednesday.
The U.S. action highlights the administration's concern over what it calls a growing relationship between the Caracas government and Hezbollah, which Washington has branded a terrorist organization.
The largest Shiite Muslim political movement in Lebanon, Hezbollah maintains an armed force that fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006. It demonstrated its muscle in street battles with supporters of Lebanon's government in May, bringing the country to the brink of civil war.
"It is extremely troubling to see the government of Venezuela employing and providing safe harbor to Hezbollah facilitators and fundraisers," Adam Szubin, director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement announcing the decision. "We will continue to expose the global nature of Hezbollah's terrorist support network, and we call on responsible governments worldwide to disrupt and dismantle this activity."
The Bush administration has raised alarms about Venezuela's ties to groups it considers terrorist organizations. A recent State Department report criticized ties between the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and leftist rebels in neighboring Colombia, and it expressed concern about new Venezuelan ties with Iran and Cuba -- countries Washington has designated as state sponsors of terror.
The designation targets Ghazi Nasr al-Din, a Venezuelan diplomat assigned to a post in the country's embassy in Lebanon. He was previously assigned to the embassy in Syria.
The U.S. statement said Nasr al Din's activities included arranging the travel of Hezbollah members to attend a training course in Iran.
Also named by the U.S. government is Fawzi Kan'an, a Caracas resident who owns two travel agencies. He is described by U.S. authorities as a "supporter and a significant provider of financial support to Hezbollah."
Kan'an "has met with senior Hezbollah officials in Lebanon to discuss operational issues including possible kidnapping and terrorist attacks," the Treasury Department said. The statement said he had also traveled with Hezbollah members to Iran for training.
The U.S. action freezes any assets the individuals and the travel agencies may have in the U.S. and prohibits any U.S. business transactions with the men or the travel businesses.
The Justice Department had no comment on whether a criminal investigation had been opened into possible violations of U.S. laws. But both Treasury and Justice officials stressed that the action was taken only after a thorough inter-agency process that also included the State Department.
As part of an agreement that ended a months-long standoff, the Hezbollah-led opposition will hold 11 of the 30 seats in Lebanon's Cabinet.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/06/18/venezuela.hezbollah/
Re: US calling Venezuela Terrorists 03/15/2008
<font size="5"><center>Venezuelan president arrives in Moscow</font size></center>
Russian Information Agency (RIA-NOVOSTI)
July 22, 2008
MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for "strategic" talks on political, economic and defense cooperation.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will receive Chavez later on Tuesday. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is also expected to meet with the Venezuelan leader.
Upon his arrival in Moscow, Chavez called for Russia and Venezuela to become strategic partners in oil and defense, something he said would "guarantee Venezuela's sovereignty, which is currently being threatened by the United States."
Ahead of his two-day visit, Chavez thanked Moscow for its recent support, including the provision of loans for the modernization of Venezuela's armed forces.
He also pledged to develop further bilateral cooperation with Moscow, saying that
Venezuela would continue to buy Russian military hardware, including combat aircraft and helicopters.
The Spanish news agency Efe said the potential acquisition of tanks by Venezuela could be discussed during the talks.
The Venezuelan leader will also hold a meeting with officials from the Il aircraft manufacturer, and defense contracts are also expected to be signed.
"I hope we will sign a number of contracts we have been working on over the past few years, including in the energy sphere and on defense cooperation," the Venezuelan leader said.
Chavez also plans to discuss the establishment of a Russian-Venezuelan bank to finance joint projects. The Venezuelan government has already made amendments to the law on the Central Bank for the purpose.
The Prensa Latina news agency quoted Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro as saying that the Caracas-Moscow partnership was significant for the whole of South America, not just Venezuela.
Venezuela has bought over 50 combat helicopters, 24 Su-30MK2 fighters, and 100,000 Ak-103 rifles from Russia. It also holds a license for the production of the aforementioned military hardware. Moscow plans to start supplying Venezuela with Mi-28N helicopters in the latter half of 2009. The two countries have also negotiated the delivery of Russian diesel submarines to Caracas.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080722/114596167.html
<font size="5"><center>Venezuelan president arrives in Moscow</font size></center>
Russian Information Agency (RIA-NOVOSTI)
July 22, 2008
MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for "strategic" talks on political, economic and defense cooperation.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will receive Chavez later on Tuesday. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is also expected to meet with the Venezuelan leader.
Upon his arrival in Moscow, Chavez called for Russia and Venezuela to become strategic partners in oil and defense, something he said would "guarantee Venezuela's sovereignty, which is currently being threatened by the United States."
Ahead of his two-day visit, Chavez thanked Moscow for its recent support, including the provision of loans for the modernization of Venezuela's armed forces.
He also pledged to develop further bilateral cooperation with Moscow, saying that
Venezuela would continue to buy Russian military hardware, including combat aircraft and helicopters.
The Spanish news agency Efe said the potential acquisition of tanks by Venezuela could be discussed during the talks.
The Venezuelan leader will also hold a meeting with officials from the Il aircraft manufacturer, and defense contracts are also expected to be signed.
"I hope we will sign a number of contracts we have been working on over the past few years, including in the energy sphere and on defense cooperation," the Venezuelan leader said.
Chavez also plans to discuss the establishment of a Russian-Venezuelan bank to finance joint projects. The Venezuelan government has already made amendments to the law on the Central Bank for the purpose.
The Prensa Latina news agency quoted Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro as saying that the Caracas-Moscow partnership was significant for the whole of South America, not just Venezuela.
Venezuela has bought over 50 combat helicopters, 24 Su-30MK2 fighters, and 100,000 Ak-103 rifles from Russia. It also holds a license for the production of the aforementioned military hardware. Moscow plans to start supplying Venezuela with Mi-28N helicopters in the latter half of 2009. The two countries have also negotiated the delivery of Russian diesel submarines to Caracas.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080722/114596167.html
Re: US calling Venezuela Terrorists 03/15/2008
<font size="5"><center>Venezuela says media distorted facts
on Chavez visit to Russia </font size></center>
Russian Information Agency (RIA-NOVOSTI)
24/ 07/ 2008
BUENOS AIRES, July 24 (RIA Novosti) - The Venezuelan government on Wednesday accused international and domestic media of deliberately misinterpreting information on President Hugo Chavez's recent visit to Russia.
Some media reports said Chavez offered to host Russian military bases in Venezuela and to buy $30 billion worth of Russian weaponry in the next four years.
"We are concerned over the distorted coverage of Hugo Chavez's successful visit to Russia," the Ministry of Communication and Information said in a statement.
"These lies, which are spread by global and private Venezuelan media, are part of a continuous imperialist propaganda campaign aimed at harming the image of our country," the ministry said in a statement.
The Venezuelan government has called upon the media to be more responsible in influencing public opinion.
In a telephone interview with VTV state television, Minister of Communication and Information Andres Izarra said several of Chavez's quotes were taken out of context and 'unintentionally misinterpreted."
Asked at a news conference after his talks with the Russian leadership about Venezuela's reaction to "the possible appearance of Russian warships in the Caribbean", Chavez had said: "We will welcome the Russian fleet with flags and a music band as our ally and friend."
Izarra said the president was talking about a possible friendly visit of Russian ships rather than their permanent deployment at naval bases in Venezuela, which becomes "perfectly clear after a thorough study of an official verbatim account of the news conference."
Venezuela's 1999 Constitution prohibits the deployment of foreign military bases in the country.
Hugo Chavez personally dismissed on Tuesday rumors that Venezuela may spend up to $30 billion on purchases of Russian weaponry in the next four years.
"I do not know where these figures are coming from - $30 billion in four years? The amounts [in contracts] differ, it is a dynamic process," he said.
http://en.rian.ru/world/20080724/114798866.html
<font size="5"><center>Venezuela says media distorted facts
on Chavez visit to Russia </font size></center>
Russian Information Agency (RIA-NOVOSTI)
24/ 07/ 2008
BUENOS AIRES, July 24 (RIA Novosti) - The Venezuelan government on Wednesday accused international and domestic media of deliberately misinterpreting information on President Hugo Chavez's recent visit to Russia.
Some media reports said Chavez offered to host Russian military bases in Venezuela and to buy $30 billion worth of Russian weaponry in the next four years.
"We are concerned over the distorted coverage of Hugo Chavez's successful visit to Russia," the Ministry of Communication and Information said in a statement.
"These lies, which are spread by global and private Venezuelan media, are part of a continuous imperialist propaganda campaign aimed at harming the image of our country," the ministry said in a statement.
The Venezuelan government has called upon the media to be more responsible in influencing public opinion.
In a telephone interview with VTV state television, Minister of Communication and Information Andres Izarra said several of Chavez's quotes were taken out of context and 'unintentionally misinterpreted."
Asked at a news conference after his talks with the Russian leadership about Venezuela's reaction to "the possible appearance of Russian warships in the Caribbean", Chavez had said: "We will welcome the Russian fleet with flags and a music band as our ally and friend."
Izarra said the president was talking about a possible friendly visit of Russian ships rather than their permanent deployment at naval bases in Venezuela, which becomes "perfectly clear after a thorough study of an official verbatim account of the news conference."
Venezuela's 1999 Constitution prohibits the deployment of foreign military bases in the country.
Hugo Chavez personally dismissed on Tuesday rumors that Venezuela may spend up to $30 billion on purchases of Russian weaponry in the next four years.
"I do not know where these figures are coming from - $30 billion in four years? The amounts [in contracts] differ, it is a dynamic process," he said.
http://en.rian.ru/world/20080724/114798866.html
Re: US calling Venezuela Terrorists 03/15/2008
<font size="5"><center>Putin wants closer military ties with Venezuela</font size></center>
Russian Information Agency (RIA-NOVOSTI)
22/ 07/ 2008
NOVO-OGARYOVO, July 22 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday that he hopes military ties between the countries will strengthen.
Chavez, who is currently on an official visit to Russia, discussed political, economic and defense cooperation with the premier at Putin's residence near Moscow.
"We have recently been strengthening the legal base for our cooperation, searching for ways to diversify our relations through new cooperation areas, namely transport, space, high-tech production, and of course military and technical cooperation," Putin said.
During the meeting, Putin accepted an invitation from Chavez to visit Venezuela.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with Chavez earlier in the day for talks focusing on arms and energy deals.
On arriving in Moscow, Chavez called for Russia and Venezuela to become strategic partners in oil and defense, something he said would "guarantee Venezuela's sovereignty, which is currently being threatened by the United States."
Venezuela has bought over 50 combat helicopters, 24 Su-30MK2 fighters, and 100,000 AK-103 rifles from Russia, and also holds a license for their production. The current contracts are worth about $4 billion.
Moscow plans to start supplying Venezuela with at least ten Mi-28N helicopters in the second half of 2009.
The two countries have also negotiated the delivery of three Russian Project 636 Kilo-class diesel submarines and at least 20 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Caracas. Contracts for these two deals, if signed, may be worth another $1 billion.
In line with the state program for the modernization of the armed forces until 2012, Venezuela is planning to spend about $30 billion in the next four years on the purchase of weaponry abroad.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080722/114656330.html
<font size="5"><center>Putin wants closer military ties with Venezuela</font size></center>
Russian Information Agency (RIA-NOVOSTI)
22/ 07/ 2008
NOVO-OGARYOVO, July 22 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday that he hopes military ties between the countries will strengthen.
Chavez, who is currently on an official visit to Russia, discussed political, economic and defense cooperation with the premier at Putin's residence near Moscow.
"We have recently been strengthening the legal base for our cooperation, searching for ways to diversify our relations through new cooperation areas, namely transport, space, high-tech production, and of course military and technical cooperation," Putin said.
During the meeting, Putin accepted an invitation from Chavez to visit Venezuela.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with Chavez earlier in the day for talks focusing on arms and energy deals.
On arriving in Moscow, Chavez called for Russia and Venezuela to become strategic partners in oil and defense, something he said would "guarantee Venezuela's sovereignty, which is currently being threatened by the United States."
Venezuela has bought over 50 combat helicopters, 24 Su-30MK2 fighters, and 100,000 AK-103 rifles from Russia, and also holds a license for their production. The current contracts are worth about $4 billion.
Moscow plans to start supplying Venezuela with at least ten Mi-28N helicopters in the second half of 2009.
The two countries have also negotiated the delivery of three Russian Project 636 Kilo-class diesel submarines and at least 20 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Caracas. Contracts for these two deals, if signed, may be worth another $1 billion.
In line with the state program for the modernization of the armed forces until 2012, Venezuela is planning to spend about $30 billion in the next four years on the purchase of weaponry abroad.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080722/114656330.html
Re: US calling Venezuela Terrorists 03/15/2008
bolivia and venezuela expel the fuckin us ambassadors and it gets NO play on tv news - the US expels the venezuelan ambassador and no play
Honduras refuses to recieve the new US Ambassador - still nothing
anyone tired of all these roosting chickens?
bolivia and venezuela expel the fuckin us ambassadors and it gets NO play on tv news - the US expels the venezuelan ambassador and no play
Honduras refuses to recieve the new US Ambassador - still nothing
anyone tired of all these roosting chickens?
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