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Chavez tells Malaysia to bypass West

The Venezuelan President has offered Caracas as an ideal destination to develop its palm oil and petroleum technology.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday urged Malaysia to bypass Western powers as it expands its global business links, and offered Caracas as an ideal destination to develop its palm oil and petroleum technology.

“The solution for our countries is not the North,” said Chavez. “The solution is between us ... We have to have our own model, not the model the countries of the North want to impose upon us,” said Chavez.

Chavez was on his second official visit to the Southeast Asian nation. He leaves later on Tuesday for Syria and then Angola in a trip likely to rankle Washington, which charges the Arab nation with sponsoring terrorism.

The Bush administration and British Prime Minister Tony Blair accuse Syria of backing militant groups in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon and of stoking recent violence in the Middle East.

State oil companies from both countries were in discussions with agreements scheduled to be inked when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reciprocates his visit in December. Chavez toured a palm oil production facility on the outskirts of Malaysia’s largest city, Kuala Lumpur. “Palm oil is very important to us. If Malaysia doesn’t have the land to plant anymore, Venezuela has it,” Chavez added. He also dangled a Venezuelan oil carrot before the gathering of about 150 businessmen and government officials.

“Don’t worry Malaysia. As a brother, we can help you explore and find oil. If you don’t have oil (anymore) ...it will be provided for by Venezuela,” he added. Venezuela, he said, had even larger proven reserves than Saudi Arabia — the reason America was out to oust him. “My friend Fidel Castro says ... Washington is looking for you,” added Chavez, without elaborating. He had earlier said Abdullah’s administration was backing its bid for one of the rotating seats on the UN Security Council.

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