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. ***