Venezuela's Chavez Backs Away from U.S. Oil Threats

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday he wanted to keep stable oil ties with the United States, backing away from his recent threats that crude shipments could be hurt by what he condemns as U.S. attempts to topple him.

"We don't have even the slightest intention of damaging those relations," Chavez told foreign oil executives and government officials at a natural gas contract ceremony.

"In the last five years we have enough proof, not just words, but proof, that we have supplied oil to the United States in a constant and secure manner," he said.

snip

Chavez's softer tone on Tuesday contrasted sharply with the harsh anti-U.S. outbursts and veiled threats that had characterized his speeches over the past 10 days. He spoke at the signing of a contract with U.S. firm ChevronTexaco to develop Block 3 of the country's Deltana offshore gas project.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=4532325

seems as though Chavez posturing and rhetoric changes tunes quickly depending on the audience...jingoistic ranting about CIA coups to his admirers...but all smiles and kisses whith ChevronTexaco..

INTEREST and WILL JUSTIFY our SEZIURE in order to SECURE our way of LIFE.

BET

peace

last week he called bush a pendejo and threatened to cut off oil..this week everything is A-ok as Chavez signs a contract with ChevronTexaco

do you?

And welcome to DU, peachy! :hi:

Chavez uses the rhetoric to stir up his base and as a smokescreen to cover his subversion of democracy in using technicalities to stop a fair recall vote.

http://www.jimmycarter.org/viewdoc.asp?docID=1631&submenu=news

and quotes from Congressman Barney Frank

I am very disappointed at the Venezuelan National Elections Council's use of hyper-technical points and controversial procedural rulings to repress what appears to be the clear will of a sufficient number of Venezuelan citizens to move the country to a constitutional referendum on President Chavez."

"I call on President Chavez to urge his supporters on the CNE to continue talks facilitated by the OAS and Carter Center to work out procedures to guarantee the rights of citizens who wish to confirm or refute their signatures."

Contacted in Washington this afternoon, Frank told VHeadline.com that he sees President Chavez Frias as pressuring the CNE to declare the referendum petition invalid ... "I've spoken with the Carter Center and I believe that the signatures that were gathered without them filling out the forms, that there was a miscommunication, a misunderstanding and there does not appear to be any doubt about these signatures/thumbprints and that is pretty well verifiable."

"If it (my information) turns out wrong I will retract my statement, but I'm afraid that my impression was that pressure had been put on the CNE or the majority members and I could not have a lot of confidence in the validity of that process where people who had admittedly signed would have to come back and verify ... if they sign and put their thumb print there, what's the point in making them come back?"

http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=16242

more than he can chew (fighting too many wars), is moderating his position on Venezuela.

It shows Hugo is willing to cooperate. Of course that is his trademark--look how even handed he has been in dealing with the US puppet fascists trying to overthrow a duly elected leader. He warned the US what will happen if they attack Venezuela and since the US has not become more belligerent he eases up. Strikes me as intelligent and moderate.

Can you imagine what Bush would do if a foreign country sent its agents into the US to destabilize his regime? He would have em' all rounded up and housed in GTMO or shot.