Yes, and I have always been convinced the Russian's have been the favourites as a result of the original arms deal that Chavez signed with Russia.

I sure would of liked to been a fly on the wall at this meeting-

Polyus directors were part of a group including Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov that met with Venezuelan mining officials yesterday, according to Rusoro Mining Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Andre Agapov, who said he attended the meeting.

``That members of Polyus are part of an official Russian delegation to Venezuela is a significant development,'' Mark Turner, an analyst at Hallgarten & Co., said in an e-mailed response to questions. ``With news expected on the new mining law at any moment, it looks like the long delays suffered by the Venezuelan gold mining industry may be coming to an end and Russia seems keen to be part of its future.''