Chavez: OPEC Can Unite Nations

Caracas
Jun 1
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared Thursday that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is today stronger than ever to cope with a new period in which it may contribute to the integration of nations.

In the opening of the 141st Ministerial Meeting of the OPEC Conference in Caracas, Chavez condemned campaigns to discredit the international group´s role in drawing up policies, and assured “it will successfully exist forever.”

The leader of the Bolivarian Revolution proposed the entry of other nations because he dreams of “the day when Venezuela will not be the only Latin America country in OPEC.”

He referred to Bolivia, given the recent nationalization of hydrocarbons by President Evo Morales.

The current Bolivian reality represents the Latin American need to “free itself from imperialist dominion,” noted Chavez, who believes the region is experiencing profound changes and more nations will decide to gain control of their natural resources and destiny.

On talks at the OPEC meeting, he said the organization “will not increase oil production in the international market and will keep fair prices for nations.”

OPEC ensures oil supplies and a fair 50 dollar price as minimum; we think it is a fair price, he added.

Hugo Chavez maintain that regime will contribute to adequate and safe supplies, investments, resources for social and economic growth, and means to help the least developed countries.

Nearly 200 delegates from eleven OPEC member countries are participating in the conference.