Posted on 12/18/2002 10:57:36 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez can restore unity in his country, and a top Russian diplomat offered Moscow's help on Wednesday to resolve the government crisis in Venezuela.
During a call initiated by Venezuela late Tuesday night, Putin said he hoped that Chavez would bring all sides together "in the interests of achieving a durable national accord and stabilization of the domestic situation," according to the Kremlin press office. Putin also said he supported a resolution to the crisis that was in line with Venezuela's constitution.
Also Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov met his Venezuelan counterpart Alvaro Mendes in Moscow, where they discussed international participation in helping the Venezuelan government and opposition come together for talks.
"Moscow is prepared to undertake active participation in this noble mediation work," Mamedov said in a statement.
Mendes said at a news conference that Venezuelan authorities "accept the solidarity of the Russian government with gratitude and respect," according to Interfax.
The nationwide strike in Venezuela against President Hugo Chavez's rule marked its 17th day Wednesday and has begun to switch off the country's oil industry - reducing output from nearly 3 million to 400,000 barrels per day.
Mendes said his country was experiencing "sabotage against its oil industry."
"It's the same as a slap in the face to the developed countries using our resources," he said, according to Interfax.
Chavez was in Moscow in May and October 2001, meeting Putin and suggesting that Venezuela and Russia could implement joint projects on oil and natural gas extraction.
Russia, Venezuela push for oil-price fixing ***Chavez, an admirer of Cuban communist President Fidel Castro, also praised Moscow's global role. Russia, according to Chavez, will "play an important role in building new international relations," and declared Russia's "rebirth" is of "great global significance." Cuba receives substantial support from Russia and Venezuela. In December 2000, Putin visited Cuba and substantially increased Cuban-Russian commercial and economic relations. During the visit, Putin declared that Russia and the communist government of Cuba, "hold similar views on key international issues."***
Venezuela's Chavez Declares Revolutionary Campaign ("anti-imperialist revolution")*** During his fiery speech, Chavez announced ``revolutionary laws'' were being prepared, praised Russia, China and Cuba.***
Russia's LUKoil Plans Operations in Venezuela *** Russia's largest oil company OAO Lukoil (R.LKO) wants to participate in an oil project in Venezuela, a Lukoil spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires Wednesday. Printer-friendly version E-mail to colleagues "There is already a preliminary agreement between (Lukoil's president Vagit) Alekperov and the president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, but the details will be decided upon in October during Alekperov's visit to Venezuela," said Igor Beketov, chief spokesman for Lukoil. Lukoil wants to extract and refine oil in Venezuela and supply gasoline to 1,300 gasoline stations of Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc., which it acquired for $71 million last year. Lukoil is having problems supplying its U.S. gasoline stations, "because Lukoil's Russian oil refineries are too far," said Valery Nesterov, oil analyst at Troika Dialog investment bank. "On top of that Lukoil wants to acquire gas stations in Canada." Copyright (c) 2001, Dow Jones & Company Inc***
Russia in Venezuela shopping for launch facility site*** Russian-Venezuelan trade totals $100 million a year. The Russian delegation, including Oil Vice Minister Leonid Tropko, was expected to sign pacts on tourism, Russian investment and exploring the possibility of a commercial satellite launching facility in Venezuela. They will depart Saturday.***
Venezuela Orders US Offices Vacated ***U.S. Embassy sources said the move came as a surprise. In a statement, the embassy said ``we regret this decision as it will make it difficult to carry on our long-standing relationship with the Venezuelan government's military.'' The action came on the eve of President Fidel Castro's two-day visit to southwestern Venezuela. The United States is the biggest importer of Venezuelan oil, and the two countries cooperate closely on counter-narcotics efforts. But President Hugo Chavez vocally challenges what he describes as U.S. political and economy dominance abroad.***
Chavez security chief alleges FARC links*** I am resigning because I disagree with the DISIP's policy of providing security to Colombian guerrillas ... this policy is more than just irregular, it approaches treason to Venezuela given the innumerable deaths, kidnappings and other crimes for which these groups are responsible in our country." Egui Bastidas said 90 percent of his fellow officers "obey orders but do not agree with them" and called on President Hugo Chavez to reverse his policy of tacit support for the rebels. "All the peace negotiations there are over and open confrontations between the guerrillas and the Colombian government have begun. Are they going to carry on letting them cross over into Venezuelan territory?" Egui Bastidas asked.
The former DISIP official called on the Armed Forces to issue a statement about their view of the Chávez government's alleged support for the Colombian guerrillas. Egui Bastidas also made a number of revelations about DISIP activities in recent months. He said the Venezuelan security service had collected personal information about all serving military officers and had also tried to smear opposition figures, such as Alberto Pena, the mayor of Metropolitan Caracas.
The official said he was also concerned at the growing role of Russian and Cuban security advisers in Venezuela. Egui Bastidas said he had experienced "the direct participation and the attempts at indoctrination by the Russian and Cuban intelligence services, who have direct and virtually unlimited access within the Helicoide (DISIP's headquarters building)." The official's lawyer, former DISIP Secretary-General Joaquin Chaffardet, said around 100 members of the Cuban intelligence services are currently operating in Venezuela. The new allegations would, if proven, further strain the already difficult relationship between the United States and Venezuela. ***
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