Chavez woos "Mother Africa" with oil ties

[cal04]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has offered his country's oil expertise to Angola, sub-Saharan Africa's No. 2 crude producer, in a strategy to boost ties with what he calls "Mother Africa" and counter U.S. influence there.

In his first visit to Angola on Thursday, the Venezuelan leader witnessed the signing of a bilateral oil cooperation accord between his country, the world's fifth largest oil exporter, and one of Africa's fastest growing producers.

The agreement, signed by the respective oil ministers, foresees cooperation in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including possible joint production and refining projects, according to a copy of the text sent to Reuters.

The text said the accord could be implemented through the respective national state oil companies, PDVSA of Venezuela and Sonangol of Angola.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-09-01T115138Z_01_L01610958_RTRUKOC_0_UK-ANGOLA-VENEZUELA.xml&archived=False

[CollegeDUer]

1. Bush must realy want to kill him

He's creating a huge left-working class coalition across the world. He's the direct polar opposite of President Bush.

[Demeter]

2. Yeah, Chavez is Successful, and Bush Ain't

Chavez is another Bill Clinton. That must grate on Dubya's last nerve.

[VegasWolf]

3. Yes, plus people admire Chavez! This must really irritate the boy king.

[IChing]

4. Diplomacy vs a big stick.

He is getting his diplomatic ducks in a row with oil producing nations. First Iran then Angola and Chinese expertise, he should have just invaded or set up military bases as we did in
Iraq and all the other former soviet oil producing nations.

[gorbal]

5. He needs as many friends as he can get right now

He really has reason to believe that Bush and co are planning to destabilize his government.

[MikeyJones]

6. The CIA won't take him out.......

they don't do non-covert missions. Coups have to appear to be internally sparked, not externally sparked. They don't want to make it obvious it was them. I think they'll just let him continue on his way. He has to relinquish his office soon anyhow.

[PeaceProgProsp]

7. Ven. presidential terms are 6 years (with a recall possible at 3 yrs)

Bush only has two years.

Hopefully, a good democrat who cares about poor people and isn't fooled by neoliberalism will get elected in '08 which will give Chavez and Venezuela four free years to build up its social Democracy so that it can be the Sweden of South America before their next elections in '12.

[MikeyJones]

8. I don't know

I thought Chavez's term **2nd** term was about to expire. I certainly hope he quits after his 2nd term is up.

I'm sorry but if Chavez doesn't relinquish his presidency in the next election he's a quasi-fascist dictator as far as I'm concerned. What's the point of reforms if you can't give democracy have a chance to work??

[High Plains]

10. Let us know when you have some evidence of that happening.

[PeaceProgProsp]

11. Let's leave it at "I don't know."

It seems to be the most accurate thing you've said so far. We appreciate your candor.

[MikeyJones]

12. Chavez is in his 2nd term is he not?

n/t

[PeaceProgProsp]

15. Nope.

[killbotfactory]

14. His first term was only a year

During which Venezuela adopted a new constitution, then went up for election under the new constitution. It's his first term under the new constitution, technically his second. He also survived a recall election.

[Judi Lynn]

16. Thanks for explaining this well. Some people seem very confused! n/t

[gorbal]

9. Check out yesterdays Democracy Now about what they did in Haiti

They are to good at what they do

http://www.democracynow.org/index.pl?issue=20060831

[Pastiche423]

17. Did you omit the word "again" in your subject title?

[Vidar]

13. Bravo Chavez!