Russia, Venezuela sign joint declaration against U.S. supremacy

AFP via World Tribune via Google ^ | May 15, 2001

[Tailgunner Joe]

President Vladimir Putin hailed as a mirror-image of himself Monday Venezuela's populist leader Hugo Chavez, a "young and energetic" figure with whom he could strike an alliance based on oil and opposition to US supremacy.

Putin described the new-found partnership between Moscow and Caracas as "an important element of Russia's cooperation with Latin America," traditionally regarded as Washington's back yard.

After wide-ranging talks in the Kremlin, the two leaders signed a joint declaration condemning the idea of "unipolarity" — a coded reference to US domination of world affairs — and calling for an end to the US economic and trade embargo against Cuba.

The 47-year-old Kremlin chief described Chavez, 46, who last week threatened to declare a state of emergency and rule Venezuela by decree, as "a young and energetic leader of the new generation that pays great attention to the development of Russian-Venezuelan relations."

Both Putin and Chavez have sparked concern in Washington by publicly courting Cuba's veteran Communist leader Fidel Castro as well as the leaders of other so-called "rogue states" such as Iraq.

The joint declaration signed Monday said Putin and Chavez were ready to boost relations with Cuba, a former Soviet ally just off the southeastern coast of the United States, on the basis of respect, trust and independence."

In addition to calling for an end to the Cuba blockade, Chavez said Venezuela was ready to help Moscow obtain greater influence in the United States' back yard, adding: "We will help Russia's presence in the Caribbean region."

Putin thanked Chavez for inviting Russia to participate in the Caracas summit of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) last September. Venezuela currently holds the chair of OPEC, while Russia is a major oil producer.

"We are following with interest the work of the (OPEC) committee defining the volume of production and the price of oil," the Russian president said.

Putin said he and Chavez took a common view of oil prices, which should be "acceptable" for consumers and "fair" for producers, while the Venezuelan leader added: "We cannot allow the prices to fall."

Russia is not a member of OPEC, which agreed in March to cut production by one million barrels a day from April 1, in a bid to rein in falling crude prices at the end of the northern hemisphere's winter.

The Kremlin talks had been "an open dialogue" focussing on energy cooperation, Putin told journalists after the meeting, but neither side revealed the specifics under negotiation.

For his part, Chavez seemed to welcome the opportunity to liken his own authoritarian style to that of the Russian leader, with whom he said he expected to become "good friends."

"In the world at large, they characterise us in the same way," he told reporters. "They call us democrats with our own vision of democracy."

"We believe in democracy, but not the kind of democracy forced on us," Chavez said, adding: "A strategic alliance has began, a joint path."

The former paratrooper, who led a failed coup in 1992, has shaken up Venezuelan politics since his election in December 1998, remaking both the constitution and the government along the lines of his "Bolivaran revolution."

However, with support for his populist regime on the decline, Chavez said last Thursday that Venezuela's growing economic and social problems constituted exceptional circumstances justifying the declaration of emergency powers.

[nopardons]

Oh oh...Putin has now made a fatal mistake.

[Diogenesis]

Venezuela's oil is run by the brother of Carlos the Jackal.

Putin has now helped the Iraqis, too. Nyet to Putin.

[DB]

Putin digs the hole deeper.

Bush made a serious judgment error regarding Putin's character and intentions if you ask me.

[poet]

"Bush made a serious judgment error regarding Putin's character and intentions"

As he has as respects vicente fox, IMO.

[poet]

"Bush made a serious judgment error regarding Putin's character and intentions"

As he has as respects vicente fox, IMO.

[knarf]

"Bush made a serious judgment error regarding Putin's character and intentions if you ask me."

An understatement, to say the least.

Last week we had a missionary speak in church and he said Russia was closing to missionaries.

The bear from the north shall rise against Israel.

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.

[Jewels1091]

Houston, we have a problem....

[11B3]

I'd say that Putin has pretty well sealed Russia's fate - or rather he has shown their hand earlier than he probably wanted to. The Soviet Union merely declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and changed its' name.

[marron]

Putin is just tweeking our nose a bit. We are in every one of the 'stans, we are the kings in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, and we just kicked Russia out of Iraq. They are having a tough run.

Oh, and Castro's going to be dead in about two years. And my money says that he is going to outlive Chavez. But not by much.

I just hope somebody in the White House basement is thinking like I'm thinking, and is busy running the wires and making the connections.

[aynrandfreak]

But then why did Russia just recently pull their intelligence station out of Cuba?

[nopardons]

Didn't know about the oil info...thanks for adding that bit !

All in all, Putin is turning out to be quite the horror and not very bright. Yes indeed... NYET Putin.

[Finalapproach29er]

Were you aware that, like the President, Vicente Fox is a HARVARD man? That's where the kinship comes from. Plus they both own big ranches.

[the-gooroo]

This article is dated May 2001

[poet]

I was not aware of their harvard ties, however, wasn't gw a hellion in college? Perhaps they both were in the elite Skull frat?

[Orion78]

Russia Postpones Dismantling Of Cuban Spy Base (1/9/02)

[nopardons]

Skull & Bones isn't a frat. It's an " eating club cum society, and is ONLY at YALE ; President Bush's undergrad alma mater. The president went to Harvard, for his Masters degree.

As to the " hellion " part, that all depends upon what exactly you mean by that word. Did he drink ? Yes. He also engaged in some rather " innocent " pranks, with some frat boys, whom he hung out with ( instead of the Skull & Boners ), but did NOT belong to their house.

Facts are important, don't be like a N.Y. Times " journalist ". LOL

[JudgemAll]

I don't know what the big deal is about US supremacy... there are plenty of Venezuelians and Russians in the US.

[CatAtomic]

Nice post Marron. The Soviets are not acting any differently than we are with Venezuela. Both of our countries are hoping to get that SouthAmerican sh!thole on the right track beit it with a dictatorship or democracy,,,, doesn't matter. When dealing with problem children in geopolitics, duplicity reigns,,,,, in China, Russia and the USA.

Putin is just tweeking our nose a bit. We are in every one of the 'stans, we are the kings in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, and we just kicked Russia out of Iraq. They are having a tough run.

Oh, and Castro's going to be dead in about two years. And my money says that he is going to outlive Chavez. But not by much.

I just hope somebody in the White House basement is thinking like I'm thinking, and is busy running the wires and making the connections.


10 posted on 05/17/2003 11

[illumini]

"Bush made a serious judgment error regarding Putin's character and intentions if you ask me."

It will only happen once! Putin has screwed himself by backstabbing GWB. Chaves may be removed in a vote this August.

[poet]

I stand corrected as to the skulls, however, he was a hellion and no doubt caused heartaches for his mother.

I don't dislike the man, just his sell-out to the liberals.

[poet]

I stand corrected as to the skulls, however, he was a hellion and no doubt caused heartaches for his mother.

I don't dislike the man, just his sell-out to the liberals and embracing the dem's programs.

[nopardons]

You understand politics, abaout as well as you do President Bush's activities in college, as an undergrad.

He hasn't " sold out " . Purists, such as yourself, should just leave politics to those who deal in the realm of the possible and not in purist delusion.

[Skywalk]

Reminds me of the Simpsons when the US diplomats say to Russians in the UN "I thought you guys were done with that mess(Soviet Empire)"

Russians respond: "That's what we wanted yout to think" and the little sign turns over from Russia to USSR, a lighthearted parade turns into a military procession and banners of Marx and the sickle-n-hammer unfurl at the press of a button. LOL

[poet]

"should just leave politics to those who deal in the realm of the possible and not in purist delusion."

Oh, do you mean leave politics to those who believe in duplicity, lies and deceit? Leave politics to those who continually defend the indefensible as long as their people engage in it?

Sorry, but, I will continue to make as many people aware of the lowlife politicians and suggest to them that they vote for Statesmen who truly look to the future rather than a politician who lives for expedience and how he or she can augment their power. I may not convince many people, but, I will continually try.

I guess the main difference between you and me is that I do not admire a slick politician while you seem to embrace them.

Duplicity is duplicity no matter what excuses one can find to justify the lies and deceit of the people they choose as their leaders. I, for one, will never defend the indefensible. Everyone should be accountable for their actions. Great speeches written by someone other than the speaker are one thing, following through is quite another.

FReegards