Lula and Chavez to boost alliance

[Vladimir]

Brazil's president opens talks with his Venezuelan counterpart in Caracas shortly with the aim of cementing what both sides call a strategic alliance.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Hugo Chavez are expected to sign joint oil and energy projects and discuss the sale of Brazilian fighter aircraft.

<snip>

However, the indication that the two leaders will sign deals for Venezuela's PDVSA to help build and run a refinery in Brazil, and for Brazil's Petrobras to drill for oil in Venezuela, suggests that the Brazilians have moved in President Chavez's direction.

<snip>

In his weekly television show on Sunday, Mr Chavez said the United States had repeatedly delayed the delivery of spare parts for Venezuela's existing F-16 fighters, so he was going to have to look elsewhere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4263025.stm

[Judi Lynn]

1. This is really going to rip it for Bush. He may have to take back

the carrot he told Colin Powell to dangle concerning Brazil's wish to be on the Security Council and Bush's promise of support on Brazil's bid for a seat. He had Colin Powell warn Lula da Silva to stay away from Hugo Chavez, as well. There was a thread at D.U. on it when Powell visited Brazil last year.

It's good to know if _Bush tries again, and he will, to destroy Chavez, it will be with the full attention of a group of countries, and large ones, which are concerned with Chavez's right to complete his duly elected term. He has firm support in Latin America and now in China, and Russia, and other oil-producing countries.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Other new Venezuela oil business info........

Venezuela Signs Renegotiated ConocoPhillips Oil Exploration Contract

Monday, Feb 14, 2005

By: Gregory Wilpert – Venezuelanalysis.com


The joint venture between ConocoPhillips, PDVSA, Eni SpA, and OPIC Karimun aims to produce 120,000 barrels of oil per day by 2009.
Graphic: Venezuelanalysis.com.
Caracas, Venezuela. February 13, 2005 (Venezuelanalysis.com)— An oil deal that will involve $10 billion in investments over five years and that Venezuela had put on hold has been renegotiated. Four weeks ago the decision to put the agreement on hold had raised concern among investors that Venezuela might turn its back on multi-billion dollar investments. Venezuela’s Oil and Energy Minister, Rafael Ramirez, however, explained that the project had been put on hold because the Ministry rejected ConocoPhillips' proposed business plan because of a $300 million discrepancy.

The agreement came about following meetings this week between Venezuela’s President Chavez, Minister Ramirez, and the presidents of Lukoil of Russia and of ConocoPhillips of the U.S. The project involves the Corocoro off-shore oil field that is estimated to have 18 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In 2007 the field is to produce 75,000 barrels per day (bpd) and will produce 120,000 bpd by 2009.

ConocoPhillips’ president, James Mulva said, “We are very pleased with the advances we have achieved with our investments in Venezuela, such as those of Hamaca and Petrozuata and we are very enthusiastic about the prospects we have for the Corocoro field and the Deltana platform project.” The Deltana platform project is an offshore natural gas field, off of Venezuela’s eastern coast.

ConocoPhillips has been involved in Venezuela since 1996, when the first joint ventures were allowed since the nationalization of Venezuela’s oil industry in 1976.
(snip/...)

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1504

[Vladimir]

3. A kick for the afternoon crowd... n/t

[Carl Brennan]

4. Hmmmm. Why doesn't Venezuela, China, Brazil, Russia, et. al.

form an "Axis of Reason" alliance, so that an attack on any one country will be considered an attack on all of them?

Also it looks like these countries are starting to see the US as a bumbling buffoon after its miserable failure in Iraq and are doing as they please.

American Imperialism ain't what it used to be. At least I hope not.

[Blaq Dem]

5. That makes sense...

That's the only REAL check & balance we have right now. I wish these other countries would stand up and not allow the Bush Cult walk all over them. They need to demand more respect. We need to demand more respect and not allow the conservatives continue stealing our elections.

[durutti]

6. I hope he pulls Lula to the left.

Lula's disappointed me so far.