[NYTr] Venezuelan energy diplomacy

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Steven L. Robinson (activ-l)

Venezuelan energy diplomacy

Only the most inveterate of the Hugo Chavez haters can deny the
validity behind his criticism of the hogging of resources by the US.
With only 5% of the world's population it uses 20% of the world's
energy resources.  That situation cannot last, especially with the
rising demand the depletion of energy resources elsewhere in the world.
"Count Dracula" will truly be in a fix. -SR]


BBC News - Aug 10, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6940274.stm

Investment and insults mark Chavez tour

by Daniel Schweimler
South America correspondent

Oil and gas, oil and gas, oil and gas. President Hugo Chavez of
Venezuela, on his four-nation tour of South America, has spoken about
little else.

In Argentina, he announced the signing of what he called an Energy
Security Treaty, ensuring his southern ally would have ample supplies
of gas and oil for "the next 100 years, and more".

"It's much more important than any free trade treaties," added Mr
Chavez, in an implied criticism of the deals that the United States has
been trying, and generally failing, to agree with most of Latin America.

In Uruguay, Mr Chavez announced plans to expand the country's only oil
refinery. Next stop Ecuador and a $5bn plan to build a new oil refinery
that would process 300,000 barrels a day.

The tour ends in Bolivia where the Venezuelan leader, President Nestor
Kirchner of Argentina and their host, Evo Morales, will sign a treaty
pledging to co-operate in the production of natural gas.

'Count Dracula'

Wherever Mr Chavez went, he promised money - for instance, buying $1bn
of bonds to help Argentina out of a difficult economic patch.

And wherever Mr Chavez went, he criticised and insulted the US. He said
the country was like Count Dracula, with an insatiable appetite,
sucking up energy supplies and promoting an unsustainable form of
capitalism with its huge cars.

The tour is the latest by Mr Chavez to spread Venezuela's oil wealth "If
only there were just one," he said at a news conference in Buenos Aires.
"But there are several Count Draculas."

He said the US had a serious problem.

"Its oil reserves won't last for many more years. It's got 5% of the
world's population but it uses 20% of the energy reserves," he said.

Mr Chavez went on to lambaste the US for, over the past 100 years or so,
imposing its will on its Latin American neighbours at the point of a gun
whenever it didn't get its way.

President Chavez has made a habit of hurling insults at Washington. His
main challenge is in trying to think up fresh attacks.

He revealed that his friend, Cuban President Fidel Castro, had advised
him to cut back on the insults - but he does not appear to be heeding
that advice.

"The empire of the north is a real assassin, a genocidal killer," he
said at a news conference in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.

Some analysts say the US has neglected Latin America while its focus has
been on the Middle East.

In an effort to counteract that, President George W Bush made a quick
tour of the region earlier this year, but was shadowed at every turn by
President Chavez.

Cold winter

When Mr Bush landed in Uruguay, Mr Chavez addressed what was called an
anti-imperialist rally in a football stadium across the River Plate in
Buenos Aires.

The two countries are engaged in a battle for friends and influence in
the region. President Chavez has won strong allies in Nicaragua, Cuba,
Ecuador and Bolivia with his fiery brand of anti-imperialist rhetoric
and generous handouts.

Washington has firm allies in Colombia and Paraguay. Meanwhile, Uruguay
and Brazil are trying, and not always succeeding, to maintain friendly
ties with both camps.

Critics in Argentina say its wish to remain neutral is looking flimsier
with every huge financial handout it takes from Mr Chavez.

Many in Latin America are uneasy about Hugo Chavez's brand of what he
calls socialism for the 21st Century and with what they call a hardline
stance against opposition in Venezuela.

But with several countries in the region suffering a colder than usual
winter, it is difficult for them to resist the advances of a friend,
rich in oil and gas, bearing gifts.