Venezuela to look east for friends: official

[msgadget]

Is it just me, or is this tiny news blurb extremely interesting? Our tech and manufacturing jobs are in India and China and to show how much they appreciate those gifts to THEIR economies, they're dealing with two countries currently on this administration's sh*t list.

CARACAS, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Venezuela is going to forge closer relations with countries particularly in Asia in view of the multipolarization of the world, said Vice Foreign Minister WilliamIzarra on Thursday.

He highlighted Asian countries' interest in investing in his country, citing agreements signed with Iran, China, and soon India,the ABN news agency said.

Venezuela aims to strengthen friendship as well as commercial and cultural links with the three nations since a large share of Venezuela's foreign currency comes from Asia and the Middle East, he was quoted as telling diplomats from Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/04/content_2545874.htm

[StClone]

1. This is important

If Bush messes with Venezuela (like covert destabilizing or overt economic moves) China will have a say.

[msgadget]

2. And, Iran is also in the picture.

So, if Iran has allies - including possibly China by proxy - and Venezuela is also talking with Russia...uh, what's the next weakest nation to pre-emptively strike? Syria?

No country is sitting around just waiting to be struck anymore. They saw what happened to Sadaam and are busy forming alliances.

[John Q. Citizen]

4. Iran may have Sistani in power in Iraq.

[msgadget]

6. I'd forgotten about that aspect.

That's right, he went into hiding in Iran, didn't he? And, the Shias are, so far, winning the election. Right now the US thinks of Iran and Iraq as enemies but, depending on who wins the election... wow. It's going to be an interesting year.

[McKenzie]

3. Chavez barters for oil and that cuts out the dollar.

Venezuela is a fairly large oil producer...so even if they trade a load of oil the US will not benefit.

Thought something like this might happen given **'s belligerence towards other nations, particularly those with a socialist ethos. Expect to see more of these alliances in the near future imo.

[msgadget]

5. Absolutely,

and there's not a damned thing he can do or say to China to stop them from dealing with whomever they wish. Favored nation status was a mistake, which is possibly why the dems aren't speaking out against them more strongly. That's unfortunate because this and future alliances are the direct result of this administration's 'diplomacy'.

It's like a stand-off. The dems don't want to bash China too fervently because Clinton opened the doors and the repubs don't want anyone to notice W has NO influence on China whatsoever and is, in fact, growing more powerless against them daily. Instead they criticize France for selling them weapons and threaten Iran instead of taking on North Korea. It's so bizarre...

[msgadget]

7. Cutting out the dollar used to be unthinkable. n/t