SPAIN: Iberoamerican leaders concentrate in energy issues as Venezuela's Hugo Chavez reiterates criticism of Washington

Record ID: 858084

  • Title: SPAIN: Iberoamerican leaders concentrate in energy issues as Venezuela's Hugo Chavez reiterates criticism of Washington
  • Date: 15th October 2005
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE)(English) UNITED NATIONS GENERAL SECRETARY KOFI ANNAN SAYING: "My own sense is that everyone should go back to the negotiating table. That's the best way to resolve this issue. Also they must cooperate with the atomic agency. I had the chance to speak to the European triple Solana and also with the Iranians, including the president last month and my message was to please stay at the table and negotiate."
  • Embargoed: 30th October 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • City:
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVABX8E8G5VBIA4A3V2AN4I0QSTB
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Iberoamerican President concentrated in energy issues during their first working session in Salamanca on Friday (October 14).
    "I have proposed that we begin thinking about an alternative of energy resources different than oil. (Latin American) countries cannot be under the vulnerability of oil's prices changes changes in the international market, particularly those countries that are net importers of oil. I know that (Venezuelan) president Chavez was there and has his reaction but I understand and I am very glad he has money," said Preuvian President Alejandro Toledo at the end of the meeting.
    Colombian President Alvaro Uribe also expressed his preoccupation about oil prices during the meeting. "How are our countries to get over the social crisis, how are they going to resolve the energy problem. I would say that the (Iberoamerican) Secretary has to follow up on the investment conditions in each country and the investment destinations," Uribe told Reuters.
    Most of the participants in the summit were welcomed and cheered by dozens of people gathering outside of hotels and meeting venues. Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez seemed to have the greatest number of supporters. Once again Chavez took the opportunity to speak out about his differences with the United States government over the refusal to extradite.
    "It is the most cynical government in history with a double face, they say they are fighting against terrorism but they are protecting terrorists. Luis Posada Carriles is one of the biggest terrorist of Latin America, he is a murderer, he is a confessed and convicted terrorist and he is protected by the United States government," said Chavez about the refusal of the United States authorities to extradite to Venezuela anti-Castro Cuban exile Luis Posada Carriles, a former CIA operative wanted by Venezuela over a 1976 Cuban airliner bombing that killed 73 people. Posada, 77, has been held by the United States since May for illegally crossing the border into Texas from Mexico. He has denied involvement in the bombing. A U.S. judge has ruled that Posada may not be deported to Cuba or Venezuela, saying he faced the threat of torture.
    The final resolution of the summit is expected to contain a paragraph on the Posada Carriles issue. The Iberoamerican Summit ends on Saturday (October 15).
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