Venezuela's Chavez says full employment if re-elected

[The Northerner]

CARACAS (Reuters) – Addressing tens of thousands of red-clad workers at a May Day march on Sunday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez set a goal to create more than 3 million jobs in eight years and end unemployment in the OPEC nation.

Chavez arrived at the rally waving a Venezuelan flag from an open-topped truck that made its way through one of the largest crowds seen on the streets of Venezuela in recent years.

"I am absolutely sure we will incorporate 3.5 million jobs in the next eight years," Chavez told the workers, who traveled on buses to Caracas from across the vast country.

The strong turnout reflected a mood of optimism among Chavez supporters as money from higher oil prices helps an economic recovery after two years of recession, lifting both the president's popularity and confidence he can fight off opposition challengers in next year's presidential election.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110501/wl_nm/us_venezuela_chavez