MVR deputy accuses US of trying to overthrow OPEC

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela Electronic News Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Movimiento Quinta Republica deputy Tarek William Saab has accused the United States of trying to overthrow the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the current war on Iraq is party of that overall strategy, he said.

"We denounce the fact that under different pretexts war is being waged against the Iraqi people while the real objective is oil. We think that a desire to overthrow OPEC is what is behind events in Iraq."

According to the National Assembly foreign affairs commission vice president, Venezuela is not alone in holding this view and he claims in is a stance shared by the many OPEC member nations.

MVR is expected to organize a series of anti-war demonstrations and its deputies have announced that they will not be attending a reception at the US embassy today.