Eustace more worried by Chavez mouthings

Recent rhetoric attributed to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has raised the eyebrows of Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace.{{more}}

Chavez was quoted last weekend as calling for member countries of his trade alliance, The Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), to draw up a joint defence policy and create a united military force against US imperialism.

Chavez is quoted as saying “If the US threatens one of us, it threatens all of us. We will respond as one.”

Eustace, who at press time was planning to make a substantive statement on the issue, said that this and other statements attributed to Chavez in recent times have been manifestations of the cause of his (Eustace) concern about the stridency of this country’s relationship with Chavez’s Venezuela.

Eustace said that he also took notice of Dr Gonsalves’ decision to hold off signing on to ALBA, “Maybe he is getting concerned about Chavez,” Eustace said.

Eustace told SEARCHLIGHT that he plans to keep a close eye on this country’s relationship with the South American oil giant Venezuela.

“My fears have been vindicated by all that he has been saying,” Eustace said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has announced a planned state visit to this country by President Chavez at the end of February.

Dr Gonsalves said that President Chavez indicated his desire to visit this country, for the second year in a row.

He may be accompanied on this trip by Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega, Dr Gonsalves said. (KJ)