Hugo Chavez has completed the first part of his visit to Russia
June 30, 2007
Despite the tradition, the visit of the President of Venezuela has begun not with political negotiations but with the cultural program. Hugo Chavez has inaugurated the Latin American Simon Bolivar cultural center in the all-Russia state library of foreign literature . The ceremony was attended by the mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov and head of federal agency on culture and cinematography Mikhail Shvydkoi. Among the guests one could see representatives of the Corps of Diplomats, members of parliament, figures of literature and art, among whom one could see the writer Yuri Bondarev, deputies V. Varennikov, G. Zyuganov, V. Zhirinovsky.
Ekaterina Genieva, the Director General of the all-Russia state library of foreign literature named after M.I. Rudomino could not conceal her admiration by the guest of honor: the promise given by the Venezuelan President less than a year ago, has been completely fulfilled. She was more excited by the intellect of the Venezuelan, who could easily talk not only on political but literature topics as well.
In his speech Yuri Luzhkov with a true Latin American temper criticized the concept of a monopolar world, that is imposed on us by a single country: «There can't be a monopolar world that is imposed to us by one country, that wants to subordinate the whole world to itself, imposes the Holywood culture - this culture does not always reflect the inner needs of humanity». He expressed conviction that inauguration of the center will «benefit to better understanding of inner culture of Latin America, so that people could come once again to the works of such authors as Lorca, Marquez, Hemingway».
There were a lot of warm words about Russia and Russian people in the emotional speech of Hugo Chavez. Having started with the biography of the «revolutionary» Miranda, Chavez picked up the topic started by Yu.Luzhkov – about a multi-polar world, about confrontation of the Empire, that unites Russia and Venezuela that live through the revival. He reminded the most important popular revolutions, called for new reading of the works of Vladimir Lenin and not to rush to turn these pages of history. Chavez has thanked Russia, that, not looking back to the USA, helps Venezuela to remain an independent country. He said how and why Venezuela was forced to come to Russia when under pressure of the USA a number of countries refused to help Venezuela to modernise its army: «In due course the USA prohibited to supply to Venezuela the aircraft made according to the North American technologies, but four months later the Russian planes SU were flying above Caracas».
The ceremony was accompanied by numbers of folk-lore groups from Venezuela and Russia. The group of girls in wreaths of different colours with colours of the Venezuelan three yellow-blue-red colours repeated the recitation: «Chavez, friend, Russia is with you!».
Under the influence of friendly atmosphere ceremony in the library, Hugo Chavez started for the meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
The President of Russia received the Venezuelan colleague in his residence in Novo-Ogarevo. The journalists noted that Putin and Chavez together entered the hall for negotiations. Usually the President of Russia waits for his guests in the hall.
«I'm pleased that our relations keep on growing. This time your visit has begun with the impetus that was given by you to the humanitarian project.», - said Putin while opening the meeting. He said that he had seen on TV the news about inauguration of the Simon Bolivar Cultural center. The President of Russia called that event very important. «That is, definitely, the place where the Russian citizens can closer get acquainted with Latin America and its history», underlined Putin. He reminded that recently under the patronage of Chavez the symphony orchestra has toured in Moscow with great success.
The President of Venezuela thanked Putin for warm welcome: «Thank you, President. Thank yo brother. Really the visit has begun very beautifully. Thank you for your invitation. Since the time when we met each other, so many things have changed in the world. And all in favour of our ideas and interests». While speaking about inauguration of the cultural center, Chavez noted that the Center was situated in Moscow in a very beautiful place and opened its doors less than a year after the parties agreed on it. «This is a very important moment. Bolivar – is a flame for us that encourages us, and today – more than ever», said Chavez.
«We have talks ahead of us devoted to interaction in the sphere of economy, military-technical ties. I am very glad to see you, welcome», said Putin, addressing the President of Venezuela.
According to mass media, during the negotiations of the two Presidents, the main attention was paid to the issue of development of trade-economic relations, the locomotive of which should become a fuel and energy complex.
In conclusion Vladimir Putin invited Hugo Chavez to have a dinner together. Such offers are made by the President of Russia in extreme cases – to guests, whom he values and whom he treats with trust.
The next day the President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez spoke at the business forum in a Trade industrial chamber of Russia. While meeting Evgeny Primakov, Chavez said that he had heard a lot about him and his name had always been associated with such notions as Dignity and Honor.
Chavez has told the audience a lot about peculiarities of development of petroleum production in Venezuela and industry and about perspectives of joint cooperation.
The President of Venezuela also informed that in the coming months Venezuelan businessmen would visit Russia, so far it was planned for September. He also said that in October a visit of «high Russian delegation would take place for having a meeting in Caracas with colleagues from the government of Venezuela».
Then the Venezuelan leader had a meeting with deputies of the State Duma. It was held in a small Heraldic hall which could not accomodate 450 deputies, that is why it was decided to allow not more than five parliamentarians from each fraction. According to unofficial information, the leaders of the State Duma did not want to give a loud resonance to the meeting with Chavez so that not to irritate the Americans. The Western media, including The Washington Post, obviously approved of reduction of the status of the meeting. News agencies tied it with the coming meeting of the American and Russian presidents at the family ranch of the Bushes. BBC noted that «it would not be proper to give a big tribune on the eve of the visit of Putin to the USA».
When the Duma decision was under discussion as to where to meet the President of Venezuela, the deputy N. Kurianovich expressed deep sorrow that Hugo Chavez would not be able to speak at the joint plenary meeting. He voiced the opinion that many deputies keep their «savings» in American banks and that is why they were afraid that giving the tribune to the main critic of the USA might cause freezing of their accounts.
The meeting itself was closed for Russian journalists, but it was fully broadcast live to Venezuela. Meeting with deputies continued for two hours. Chavez was rather reserved in his speech. He quickened after the deputies supported with applause his statement about historic value of ideas of socialism. He spoke about peculiarities of socialist construction in Venezuela, about his conversations with Fidel Castro.
Then he replied to the questions of deputies. G. Zyuganov asked about creation of a united socialist party. S. Baburin – about whether the Bolivarian revolution was preparing to defend itself. In reply to the question of K. Zatulin about the Venezuelan position regarding possible separation of Kosovo, Chavez said, that partition of countries was imperialist attempts to weaken them. He noted that the USA financed separatist movements, especially on the petroleum rich territories – both in Venezuela, and in Bolivia, for example.
After meeting with deputies Chavez took a plane to Minsk to have a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko. «Being just a few steps from the friends and not to visit them – would be a geopolitical mistake», said Chavez shaking hands with A. Lukashenko.
From Belorussia Chavez will return to our country – to Rostov-on-Don, where Russian governors headed by Vladimir Putin, will wait for him. Chavez will have a chance to meet the heads of a number of CIS countries. He will also visit the plant where the ordered by Venezuela helicopters are being manufactured.
It is known that Hugo Chavez has invited the Russian leader to Venezuela. Speaking in the Chamber of trade and Commerce of Russia Chavez said: «We made an official invitation to Vladimir Putin to visit Venezuela».
(According to Russian mass media)