Chavez to visit Iran, Syria, Russia, China, North Korea

AKI
Jun. 15, 2006

Caracas, 14 June (AKI) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has announced he will soon travel to Iran, Syria, Russia, China, North Korea and Vietnam to boost bilateral relations before the beginning of an electoral campaign in September during which he will be seeking a re-election for a second presidential mandate on 3 December. Chavez is supporting Iran's right to a nuclear programme in an standoff sparked by international fears that Tehran is trying to build atomic weapons.

Chavez is also seeking to boost relations with Russia, a country from which it has recently bought 100 thousand kalashnikov rifles. The Venezuelan president would also reportedly like to build a kalashnikov factory in the country.

The trip to Syria is key for Venezuela's ambition to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, a plan supported by Damascus.

Syria's deputy foreign minister Faisal Meqdad has said that Venezuela's wish to join the UN body also enjoys the support of many Arab countries.