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London mayor signs oil deal with Chavez
Associated Press` ^ | 02/20/07 | JENNIFER QUINN

Posted on 02/20/2007 2:44:18 PM PST by presidio9

London's socialist mayor signed an agreement Tuesday with Venezuela's state-owned oil company to provide discounted oil for the city's iconic red buses, praising the idea as the brainstorm of the country's leftist leader, Hugo Chavez.

Ken Livingstone — a committed socialist known locally as "Red Ken" — met with Chavez last year at City Hall to discuss the deal to provide cheap oil to London in exchange for advice on urban planning in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.

Venezuela has signed similar agreements with cities in several other countries, including the United States. Critics call it "oil diplomacy" — and say it is designed to embarrass President Bush, whom Chavez has repeatedly mocked.

"This arose out of the suggestion of President Hugo Chavez, and builds on the work he is doing around the world to tackle the problem of poverty," Livingstone said.

The savings — which would cut fuel costs by 20 percent for the city and could amount to about $32 million — are to be directed toward cheaper bus travel for up to 250,000 Londoners living on income support. Those who qualify will get a half-price discount on bus fares.

Under the agreement, city officials in Caracas will receive recommendations from British experts for "the urban reorganization" of the capital, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicholas Maduro said in an interview broadcast on state-run television.

Conservatives on the London city council said in a statement that London shouldn't be doing business with "third-rate South American dictators with an appalling human rights and democratic record."

"Why does London, one of the richest capitals in the world, need to exploit a developing nation?" asked Richard Barnes, deputy leader of the London Assembly Conservatives. "This money would be better directed at the poor of Venezuela."

The U.S. government and Chavez's opponents at home accuse him of undermining Venezuela's democratic institutions since he was first elected in 1998. Chavez, who was widely re-elected to a six-year term in December, says he is trying to remake an unjust system that sidelined the poor majority.

Livingstone, an advocate of green policies, said Venezuela and London were merely exchanging commodities.

Venezuela is the world's eighth-largest oil exporter.

London spends about $195 million a year on fuel for its fleet of 8,000 buses. The savings from the new oil agreement with Venezuela are equivalent to slightly less than 1 percent of the total cost of providing London's bus services, the mayor's office said.

___


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: boughtoff; bribe; energy; hugochavez; kenlivingstone; oil; oilydictator; thug
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1 posted on 02/20/2007 2:44:18 PM PST by presidio9
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To: presidio9
Oh boy, "Red Ken" is at it again. AQ has Venezuela in their sights, I'm surprised Livingstone would enter into such an agreement with this Communist, at this time. He will be sorry.
2 posted on 02/20/2007 2:51:19 PM PST by alice_in_bubbaland (Remove the Seven Rules of Engagement, NOW!)
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To: presidio9

Joe Kennedy (Yeah, that family!) has done the same. So has New Haven, CT mayor Destefano. I can't believe there is zero public outcry over this.


3 posted on 02/20/2007 2:55:29 PM PST by Fierce Allegiance (I love pissing off liberals, both democrat and republican.)
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To: Fierce Allegiance
Joe Kennedy (Yeah, that family!) has done the same. So has New Haven, CT mayor Destefano. I can't believe there is zero public outcry over this.

And I could swear I saw a TV commercial two nights ago from Kennedy promoting his Chavez/Chevron scam. Unreal.

4 posted on 02/20/2007 3:00:03 PM PST by Jhensy
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To: Fierce Allegiance
I can't believe there is zero public outcry over this.

It infuriates me too, but you can believe it. In fact, you can expect it.

You (and I) just don't want to believe it.

That dope Kennedy's Citgo commercial plays all the time here in Jersey. I've never heard a peep about it.

Venezuela better be addressed soon, or there's gonna be big trouble. No good can come of Hugo.
5 posted on 02/20/2007 3:01:40 PM PST by motzman (Hunter for Secretary of Defense)
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To: Fierce Allegiance

I was unaware that a US mayor could form an alliance with a foreign power.


Oh, he's a dem. Right now I understand. They never allow the law or the Constitution get in the way of politics.


6 posted on 02/20/2007 3:02:02 PM PST by Islander7 ("Show me an honest politician and I will show you a case of mistaken identity.")
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To: motzman; Jhensy

Good, I am not the only one who saw it and is pissed!


7 posted on 02/20/2007 3:02:54 PM PST by Fierce Allegiance (I love pissing off liberals, both democrat and republican.)
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To: Jhensy
And I could swear I saw a TV commercial two nights ago from Kennedy promoting his Chavez/Chevron scam. Unreal.

Citgo. Chevron is hq'd in California.
8 posted on 02/20/2007 3:05:32 PM PST by motzman (Hunter for Secretary of Defense)
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To: motzman
Citgo. Chevron is hq'd in California.

Whoops, thanks. Sorry Chevron.

9 posted on 02/20/2007 3:16:38 PM PST by Jhensy
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To: presidio9; snugs; MadIvan; All

OH SNUGS and Ivan look what Red Ken is up TOOO NOWWWWW


10 posted on 02/20/2007 3:20:46 PM PST by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: presidio9

Blame the lack of public-outcry on the lack of education of the public. When the majority of citizens in the West are taught that there are no differences between Stalin and President Bush, how could they possibly understand the philosophical differences between America and the rest of the world.


11 posted on 02/20/2007 3:24:44 PM PST by DilJective (Proudly serving in the US Army)
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To: Jhensy

You did, only it's Citgo. I live in California and have been seeing that jackass' commercial for several months.

Personally, I'd rather suffer the cold than accept ANYTHING from those commie pieces of sh!t.


12 posted on 02/20/2007 3:37:16 PM PST by abigailsmybaby
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To: presidio9

>> London Conservatives: "third-rate South American dictators with an appalling human rights and democratic record."

Conservative modesty is no match for Liberal demagoguery. And as such, the Libs have managed to secure the false impression that Liberals care more about the underclass and persecuted. I guess we're seeing some parallels in the U.K.


13 posted on 02/20/2007 4:36:52 PM PST by Gene Eric
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To: motzman

It's time for the meathook. I hope one of his generals does him in and dusts his hands off.


14 posted on 02/20/2007 7:43:51 PM PST by Kitten Festival
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To: Kitten Festival; All
Now, I just a new commercial, this one with testimonials about how great the Venzi's are, and how Citgo is the only company thats offering relief for the tenants of the welfare state.

Disgraceful
15 posted on 02/20/2007 7:47:24 PM PST by motzman (Hunter for Secretary of Defense)
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To: motzman

Barf. I just don't know who they think they are fooling? Anyone who would be fooled by such tripe deserves to have everything free yanked from them for their stupidity.


16 posted on 02/20/2007 7:50:20 PM PST by Kitten Festival
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To: presidio9

Don't buy Citgo. Buy Sunoco. Defeat Red Ken and Hugo!


17 posted on 02/20/2007 7:59:27 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Fight communism wherever it is!)
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To: presidio9

Don't buy Citgo. Buy Sunoco. Defeat Red Ken and Hugo!


18 posted on 02/20/2007 7:59:38 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Fight communism wherever it is!)
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To: presidio9

Might as well give condoms to dying AIDS patients.


19 posted on 02/20/2007 8:01:09 PM PST by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
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To: presidio9

About as funny as feeding a giraffe out of a dog's bowl.


20 posted on 02/20/2007 8:04:00 PM PST by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
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