November
18, 2004
Presidential
tour is part of an international offensive
strategy
(Venpres, reproduced by Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Bulletin) - "The
international tour that President Chávez
started on November 19th is part of an
international offensive strategy, as informed
by the Minister of Communication and Information,
Andrés Izarra, who talked about
the importance of this initiative.
According to him, this is
an opportunity to strengthen and consolidate
international relations, and in the case
of Spain, to re launch bilateral relations
after they were weakened during the period
of José María Aznar. 'Relations
with Spain are very important for Venezuela
as a gateway to our relations with the
European Union´.
President Chávez
will meet with the President of the Spanish
government, José Luis Zapatero,
as well as with, unions, political groups
and business people. Izarra said that
it is expected for President Chávez
to give a lecture at the Complutense University
of Madrid, as well as presiding a massive
gathering to honour the people who died
on March 11th in Atocha station. Finally,
he will meet with the King and Queen.
President Chávez will then travel
to Libya and Russia (…)".
