Chavez hails 'anti-imperialist' Vietnam

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has praised Vietnam for its battle against “imperialism” and pledged to help the communist country develop its nascent oil and gas industry during a two-day state visit.

Chavez, the first-ever Venezuelan head of state to visit Vietnam, also signed three cooperation agreements with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, including one dealing with energy.

“We are willing to support and cooperate with Vietnam to help it to be independent in oil production and refinery,” Chavez told reporters after arriving yesterday.

Vietnam is building its first oil refinery plant in a central province. Currently, it exports all its crude oil – 18 million tonnes last year – and imports refined oil products.

Chavez – a fierce critic of the US – praised Vietnam for winning independence from colonial ruler France and defeating the US in the Vietnam War, saying its battles against “imperialism” had set “a big example for the world”.

The Venezuelan president also said the two countries would explore how to further economic, trade, technological and political co-operation.

“I do believe that we will raise our relations to a new height,” Triet told reporters.

Chavez was also scheduled to meet with Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, the mastermind of Vietnam’s defeats of France and the US. He will also meet with Communist Party Chief Nong Duc Manh and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung before departing Tuesday.

Chavez travelled to Vietnam as part of an international tour that has already taken him to Belarus, Russia, Qatar and Iran. He also plans to visit Mali and Benin this week.