As we all know, Chávez chairs the Group of 77, which gathers over 110 countries in the world. Likewise, he is chairman of the Group of 15 and we hold the Secretariat of the Association of Caribbean States a meeting that will take place in December this year. At the same time, President Chávez is the coordinator of the OPEC countries’ Heads of State due to the major meeting we hosted in September last year.

Therefore, I would say Venezuelan oil diplomacy plus the policy of integration and approach to new power axes despite the lack of understanding of some domestic and external events, has been quite positive and preserved Venezuela in a status of independence, much dignity at international level and represented a bet that through integration Venezuela may close a huge gap in Latin America, comprising anarchy, isolation, division and so we can become a major development hub. I know this won’t be so in the short-term but at least in the mid-to-long-term it may prove right.

Well, the relationship experienced some tension when the United States ambassador was called for advisory for four or five days and then she returned. I think the Venezuelan stance toward the September 11 issue is quite clear: condemnation to terrorism, sympathy with victims, adherence to international law and peace promotion within a framework similar to the stances taken by Pope John Paul II and the United Nations Secretary Kofi Annan. Therefore, I would say right now relations are healthy and we hope they improve.

As is well-known to all neighboring countries and friends, Venezuela requested the formal entry to the Mercosur as observer. Due to statute limitations we cannot join the bloc as member state directly. We have preserved an integration stance in such an important axis, we think that is the right path to face a future that will be quite uncertain for the economy.

With its oil revenues and macroeconomic activity that has increased a positive 3.5% in the last two and a half years, Venezuela alone will find it hard to grow. We have bet on regional integration as the only solution for our people to move toward growth. The Mercosur is highly important for us so we hope that in 2002 Venezuela can officially be part of it along with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia. So that is the message of Venezuela, always seeking integration under the banner of continental unity firmly encouraged by Bolívar.

Right now I feel that Chávez is a highly positive international icon despite the black campaign he launched, he embodies strong identity for many peoples and I feel that being here in Argentina, based on my conversations with so many people, congressmen, scholars, journalists, that the Venezuelan process is highly appreciated and I hope this understanding –and this is the reason for my visit to Buenos Aires- will rule out the lack of knowledge little by little and that announce that Venezuela experiences a true and independent democratic process that has respected the rules of the game, fostered human rights and sought the much-needed happiness for our people.