Venezuelan and Netherlands Antilles Officials Meet to Discuss Oil, Tourism

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBKN477J8E.html

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Top Venezuelan and Netherlands Antilles officials met Monday to discuss possible agreements regarding oil refining and tourism, according to a statement released by the Information Ministry.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Errol Cova, who met with Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel in Caracas, said that authorities from the Antilles were interested in an agreement that would continue to allow Venezuela's state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., to run the refinery in Curacao, according to the statement.

Curacao officials are looking to discuss with PDVSA the necessary investments needed to improve the refinery's technology and to make it comply with environmental regulations, Cova added.

PDVSA has been running the refinery since 1985.

more

[rainbow4321]

1. Chavez demands foreign oil companies pay taxes

Hmmm..think he is talking about shrub's oil buddies???

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-05/09/content_2935118.htm

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday that many private oil companies have been evading taxes for years, and they must be charged retroactively with interest on any debts.

"If they don't pay, they must leave. They have to follow Venezuelan law," he warned.

According to Venezuelan law, oil companies must pay a 30 percent royalty, but companies producing expensive heavy crude, were allowed to pay 1 percent royalty until last year, when the government raised it to 16 percent.

Officials say many declare losses to avoid paying income tax, and as many as 2 billion US dollars may have evaded.