andrewjp1...@hotmail.com

I don't think Venezuela is an investor friendly environment...however I
don't see Chavez doing the Castro style expropriations.  Chavez has
more than enough money to pay fair value for the nationaliztion of
these companies in telecom, energy, mining, etc.  We shouldn't lose
everyhting.  If he is smart, he will realize that he will need
professinal companies like Crystallex, Chevron, Verizon, etc in order
to provide investment and modernizations.  If Chavez allows local
miners to mine the Las Cristinas project, it will make him popular but
will be a poor recovery of the mines and probably be an environmental
disaster.  I feel bad for Venezuela, the effects of Chavez will be
disasterous for Venezuela.