UK FCO Drew meets Vice President Rangel  ... optimistic about Venezuela's future

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

UK Foreign Affairs Latin American Department chief, John Drew has met Venezuelan Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel to discuss the political situation and trade openings. 

Drew, who was accompanied by UK Ambassador John Hughes, says Tony Blair's government has great interest in Venezuela ... Rangel's vision of Venezuela has helped him understand better the process of dialog based on the 1999 Constitution, especially the recall referendum process. 

Avoiding the pitfalls into which his predecessor Ian MacShane hopelessly fell during the April 11, 2002 coup attempt, Drew insists that the British government respects Venezuela's political process, which is the exclusive reserve of Venezuelans. 

Drew also told journalists that he is optimistic about Venezuela's future and that he would personally invest in Venezuela. if he were a rich man. Although he did not elaborate on UK business interests in Venezuela, he did reaffirm the UK's interest in taking part in joint ventures in natural gas projects. "Venezuela is one of the most interesting and important countries in the region and I return to the UK with a wider vision of what is happening here."