August 12, 2005
Venezuelan and Brazilian leaders hold talks on politics and energy

(AP Worldstream) - "Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez visited Brazil for talks on politics and energy and a show of support for Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, embroiled in a domestic political scandal.

Chávez arrived late on the third stop of a South American swing that included visits to Argentina and Uruguay. He and Silva had dinner at the Brazilian president's residence in the capital.

Silva formally invited Chávez to attend a summit of the South American Community in Brasilia on Sept. 29-30, the government said on its Web site.

But Chávez's visit also is seen as a show of support for Silva, whose government has been accused of bribing legislators to support the government in Congress. The scandal hasn't touched Silva personally, but has forced the resignation of top members of the governing Workers Party (...)

The two leaders also are expected to discuss plans to build a US$2.5 billion (A2.0 billion) oil refinery in Brazil's northeastern state of Pernambuco. The refinery would create 10,000 jobs and process up to 250,000 barrels of oil a day".