Chavez for strategic partnership with Russia

Moscow, July 28 (UNI) Expressing hope of strategic partnership with Russia, Venezuela President Hugo Chavez has said the cooperation between the two countries was long-term, comprehensive and strategic, not limited to oil and military sectors.

''In addition to the military theme, which is all everybody talks about, and the oil theme, we have signed other agreements with Russia. We are not talking only about arms, we are talking about comprehensive development,'' Mr Chavez said in an interview at the conclusion of his three-day visit to Russia, during which he held talks with President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian leaders.

He said every process had its phases, pointing out five years ago Russia was not present in Venezuela at all.

In the energy sector there was nothing, but now Gazprom and Lukoil were present in Venezuela, he said.

''Now Lukoil has an office in Venezuela. We have Gazprom, and its technicians are already studying a project to build a gas pipeline from Venezuela to Argentina. Lukoil works in two areas. One is the rehabilitation of old fields. The second - oil production in the Orinoco basin. A system is already in place and production will start at the beginning of 2007,'' Mr Chavez said.

Commenting on US criticism that the purchase by Venezuela of Russian arms exceeded its defence requirements, he said, ''This announcement is part of the absurd claim of the US to the role of world master. Who said that the US has the right to decide on a defence concept for Venezuela? Only Venezuela itself has this right.

We are getting rid of the American empire.'' UNI XC SI RS1848