MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Washington anticipates harder line with Chavez

United States is considering a long term strategy which could mean a stronger position in dealing with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, since maintaining a “pragmatic relation” with him seems impossible, reports The New York Times.

"We offered them a more pragmatic relation, but obviously, if they are not interested, we can move towards a more confrontational stance", said an important Republican Congressional advisor who works in the drafting of Latinamerican policies.

According to US top officials a task group with participation from different US government agencies is developing a new strategy towards President Hugo Chavez regime, which is basically a hard line.

Among the alternatives considered are increasing funds for opposition groups in Venezuela and requesting neighbouring countries to take distance from Mr. Chavez, who next year will be re-elected for another six year mandate.

"What's happening is that they are realizing that the relation with Caracas is rapidly deteriorating and will require more attention", said the Congressional advisor quoted by The New York Times. "The current policy of looking the other way is simply not working".

Venezuela and Washington have had conflicting relations since Mr. Chavez became president in 1999.

Mr. Chavez accused military personnel from the US embassy in Caracas of involvement in the short lived coup that removed the president from office during 48 hours, until he was rescued by loyal Army units.

This week Mr. Chavez ended a 35 year old US-Venezuela joint military assistance program; he recently formalized energy agreements with China, met with Iranian president Mohammad Jatami and supported Iranian nuclear autonomy, and is currently organizing a two million strong militia to defend Venezuela in the event of foreign aggression.

Mr. Chavez has also accused the Bush administration of plotting to murder him to control Venezuela's oil, the world's fifth producer which supplies 1,5 million barrels per day to the US.

US officials admitted to The New York Times that vast reserves of oil and the high prices of crude have eliminated the need for US financial aid or any other form of assistance from Washington which could be used to put pressure on Venezuela.

But since Venezuela is one of the US four main oil suppliers, "we can't overlook the fact" or "disdain Mr. Chavez", added the Congressional advisor. "He's sitting on a source of energy which is crucial for us", he added.

Condoleezza Rice currently in a Latinamerican tour is expected to express Washington's growing concern with President Chavez to the leaders of Brazil, Chile, Colombia and El Salvador with whom she will be meeting.

Last week State Department spokesperson Adam Ereli anticipated that one of the issues that Ms. Rice would be addressing in Colombia is the possibility of a transfer of weapons from Venezuela to Colombian insurgents.

In Bogota, Colombian Defence Minister Jorge Alberto Uribe said that Venezuela's massive arms purchase is contributing to increase the military imbalance among Andean countries.

During a briefing before the Colombian Congress a Defence report was leaked indicating that "at this time there's no clear justification for Venezuelan re-equipment and the purchase of certain type of strategic weapons in a region which had led the world in limiting military expenditure".

The Chavez administration has purchased 100,000 assault rifles and ten combat helicopters from Russia; eight naval patrol vessels and ten troop transport aircraft from Spain; plus is talking with Brazil to acquire Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

Venezuela already has F-16 fighter bombers, Italian Luppo frigates and French AMX30 heavy tanks.

"Venezuela is purchasing offensive and not defensive weapons" claimed Senator Jimmy Chamorro from the Defence Committee.

Colombian president Alvaro Uribe has insistently said he discards any arms race with Venezuela since its efforts are concentrated in fighting domestic illegal armed groups. Venezuela president Chavez argues that it's US "imperialism" which is threatening his country's sovereignty.