Russia and Venezuela in deal to counter 'US aggression'

telegraph.co.uk ^ | July 22, 2008 | Adrian Blomfield

[Tailgunner Joe]

Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, has called for a strategic relationship with Russia to counter aggression from the United States.

With a long shopping list for state-of-the-art defence equipment under his arm, Mr Chavez did his best to ingratiate himself with his hosts.

He first signed off on a deal giving Russia's state-owned energy companies – often accused of doubling as private piggy banks for powerful Kremlin forces – exclusive rights to develop new deposits Venezuela's Orinoco Oil Belt.

Then he switched smoothly to flattery, with a call for the Russian rouble to replace the US dollar as the world's global currency.

"We in OPEC have proposed to put an end to the dollar," Mr Chavez said, speaking in his role as self-appointed spokesman for the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Mr Chavez was given correspondingly warm welcome as he met with one old friend, prime minister Vladimir Putin, and one new one in the form of president Dmitry Medvedev.

Mr Medvedev was particularly effusive, describing Venezuela as Russia's "most important partner".

Ignoring accusations of electoral fraud and authoritarianism that have been directed at both countries, Mr Medvedev told his guest: "We have one common task; to make the surrounding world more democratic, fair and secure."

[DoughtyOne]

Russian rouble to replace the dollar...

Now there’s a plan. It gets mighty close to insanity, but it is a plan.

[mkjessup]

Baby Huey has been needing a severe smackdown for a long time, unfortunately nobody at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue seems to have the stones to do it.

[marron]

Venezuelans must mourn the loss of their country, and Colombians had best keep their powder dry.

[Thunder90]

One commie fawning over another commie...