Moscow to Help Venezuela Address Housing Woes

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CARACAS – Venezuelan and Russian authorities have signed an agreement here to create a general plan for Caracas that will improve living conditions for the thousands of poor people currently inhabiting shanties known as “ranchos.” The accord was signed during the visit to Caracas of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhov, whose delegation includes the head of the planning department for the Russian capital. For those who aren't familiar with housing problems in Moscow, the city government has adopted a very efficient measure, whereby those who lack a special permit to live within the metropolitan area (that is, they own what is called "the propishka"), are sent to Siberia in the early morning train.

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=356655&CategoryId=10717

In other news, the Venezuelan government announced it has signed an agreement with the government of Zimbabwe to get help controlling inflation. Zimbabwe, the country with the highest inflation in the world, has recognized expertise in this area.

To further its government to government moves, the Venezuelan government also signed an agreement with the government of Viet Nam to install a National Fireworks Academy, and with Belarus to create a joint venture to produce oil, using Belarusian oil expertise. Belarus, not known for its oil fields or oil industry expertise, does have the ability to buy World Oil and other US magazines, where it is expected their engineers will learn about the business from top American magazine writers.

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1. What, no indignation?

I assume you didn't think the story about Zimbabwe, Viet Nam, etc, was anything but satire. But you got to admit it, signing a deal with Luzhkov to get housing in Caracas is mighty funny. Luzhkov is more known for being a Mafioso who happens to know how to milk money from everybody. Moscow streets are kept clean, but they're not really putting up housing for the people, what is being built in the Moscow region is very large houses for the newly rich upper middle class. if you don't believe me, pull up a google earth map of the Moscow suburbs, and check the palaces Luzhkov's friends are putting up. Anybody who wants the coordinates, just ask me. :-)

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2. No curiosity about the mansions going up around Moscow

I'm surprised, I thought you would like a tour of the mansions being put up around Moscow.