PRESS CONFERENCE BY FOREIGN MINISTER OF VENEZUELA

PRESS CONFERENCE BY FOREIGN MINISTER OF VENEZUELA

Jesus Arnaldo Perez, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, announced the publication of “Zero Hunger:  We Want to Eliminate Hunger and Poverty”, during a press conference tonight at Headquarters.

Apologizing for the fact that President Hugo Chavez could not attend the General Assembly because of technical problems, he said that the document –- available tomorrow in Spanish, English and French –- was an analysis of poverty and of the unfair treatment of the poor and would indicate how to address the problem of hunger and poverty.

He said that today, during the General Assembly session, he had had bilateral meetings with representatives of the French delegation, during which bilateral relations had been discussed, as well as the “Group of 15” [a group of 17 developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America].  He had also met with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria and President Mohammad Khatami of Iran about a troika meeting with President Chavez.

Asked about Venezuela’s intention regarding strengthening the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the stabilization of oil prices, Mr. Perez said that it was “not only the intention, but the will of Venezuela to strengthen the OPEC”.  That intention had been made clear during an OPEC meeting in Caracas.  Venezuela had done a lot to stabilize oil prices, and during President Chavez’ OPEC presidency, oil prices had been stable between $20 and $22 a barrel. As for private or foreign investments in Venezuela’s oil industry, he said that in his country private industries had invested in oil technology.

Responding to a question, he said it was important that nations agreed on the fight against terrorism, and that no pretexts were used.  That fight must involve all citizens.  There were no “good” or “bad” terrorists.  He had not had the time to consult about President Bush’s speech to the General Assembly this morning, but in the fight against terrorism, it “doesn’t matter if it is Republicans or Democrats, Bush or Kerry, the important thing is to fight terrorism”.

* *** *