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Venezuela Wonât Recognize Iraq Delegation
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday Venezuela wonât recognize an Iraqi delegation at an upcoming meeting of OPEC ministers, although his oil minister said informal talks may happen. ``We donât recognize a âquote government unquoteâââ under foreign occupation, Chavez told a meeting of foreign journalists at the presidential palace. "Unless theyâre occupied by Cubans, of course!" An Iraqi delegation will attend an OPEC meeting for the first time since U.S.-led forces deposed Saddam Hussein. Reintegration into OPEC is crucial to Iraq, given the importance of oil exports to its economy and to the success of its interim government. Why is OPEC important? Iraqis can pump all the oil they want. Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said there wasnât any Iraqi government to send a delegation to the Sept. 24 meeting in Vienna. But he acknowledged there could be ``informalââ talks with an Iraqi ``observerââ at the meeting. Who could âinformallyâ tell the Venezuelan âdelegationâ to âpiss off.â Posted by: Steve White 2003-09-18 |
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