[NYTr] Venezuela Will Probe the Hysterious $800K suitcase

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Venezuela Ready to Investigate Alleged Money Traffic

Caracas, Aug 13 (Prensa Latina) Minister of Interior and Justice of
Venezuela Pedro Carreno expressed his country's determination Monday to
investigate alleged money traffic detected by Argentine authorities.

Carreno recalled that state-run Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) oil
firm has already issued an official statement, informing of the
beginning of inquiries to determine if the suitcase containing $800,000
was taken from a point in Venezuela; otherwise, there is no crime.

If the origin of the trip is in this nation, said Carreno, the presence
of a fiscal, foreign exchange-related crime would be established,
according to current legislation.

It will be also necessary to determine the origin of the capital by
relevant institutions.

In his remarks to journalists, Carreno referred to an overreaction by
the media regarding the case, because although it happened August 4, it
was published on August 6, coincidental with a visit of Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez to Argentina.

An intention to step up actions aimed to ignore progress made in the
cooperation of Venezuela with other South American nations can be seen
here, the Venezuelan official said.

hr/ccs/rma/mem