March 18, 2005
Venezuelan leader wants more 'positive' relations with U.S.

(EFE news service) - "Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said his government wants to put relations with the United States on a 'positive' footing, citing the need for the two countries 'to look after' their bilateral ties.

'We want to put the U.S. issue on a positive footing ... We want to keep sending it 1.5 million barrels of oil a day. We want to keep doing business' with that country, Chávez told the press.

Every time his government has had harsh words for Washington, Chávez said, 'it has always been in response to aggression' voiced by U.S. President George W. Bush's administration (...)

'I am sure that U.S. business people who do business here are going to agree with the opinion that the United States needs good relations with Venezuela and vice versa', Chávez said".