Here are a couple of bits of info to peek at regarding our situation. One an interview Carson did with Gutierrezz in 07. As much as some hate Carson, just read what Gutierrez has to say. Pay attention to the comment regarding copper that gets some peoples hackles up. Ask yourself, does Ortega possibly hate the fact that Kry will not process it? Is there as stare down taking place? Possible.

Also take a look at the links on the company site under "Quick Links" to the Gutierrez initiative in 07 involving the committee that recommended getting this project into gear. Then the link to the NA presentations in 08. It's been a frickin year and a half since this hot air was blown. These two things just reinforce how much power these people have in decision making. Basically none. Gutierrez was no small chump in the NA and neither were the ones involved in the 08 NA meeting.

Now we have this Jose Albornoz kicking up the dust. Second Vice president of the NA. Does that mean anything? In my opinion it means squat. What matters is what is painfully obvious and that is that Chavez pulls the strings in this and all other matters, and it is obvious to me he isn't looking favourably on us. Will/is he using this new committee to screw us? he's fully capable of twisting things his direction.

Also I totally disagree with the thinking that the current situation is in any way tied to the future elections. This theory has been floated every time an election has been held and proven baseless. This time is no different imo. The whole story is definitely not being told. I feel the copper issue, small miners and the corruption associated with this and Vz in general, play an important part.

Bottom line though the NA has proven to be powerless in this to this point. The buck stops at Chavez. The decision is his, not some sub committe's recomendations, and Chavez won't be influenced by them anyway unless it aligns with his intentions.

FYI

Published: Thursday, October 11, 2007 Bylined to: Roy S. Carson National Assembly (AN) deputy Ricardo Gutierrez on the Las Cristinas Saga.... Thursday, October 11, 10.07 a.m. Caracas -- interview with National Assembly (AN) deputy Ricardo Gutierrez about update developments in the Las Cristinas Saga.... http://www.vheadline.com/audio/11_Oct_2007_10_07.mp3 Transcript translated from the Spanish original (below) by Vanessa Marcano Roy S. Carson: My name is Roy Carson, from VHeadline.com on the Internet. We spoke a few weeks ago about the situation in Las Cristinas, which will be discussed at the National Assembly. What has happened with that? Ricardo Gutiérrez: Well, last week, we met with executives from Las Cristinas, as well as with delegates from the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Mines, and the CVG, an institution that is administratively in charge of all the mines in that geographical area. In that meeting, we discussed the reasons why the project has not begun yet, agreed to write a report, that I must finish by Monday, and we will call another meeting at CVG to draft a document for the President, to find a definite solution to the problem of permits, as well as some mining information that the government must obtain to see if, once and for all, possibly with the President's attendance, we can get this project started. Roy S. Carson: Ok, but… the rest of the details are being worked out with the President at this moment, or do you need a few more days? Ricardo Gutiérrez: We need one more day, to meet with all the ministries and business executives, draft the document and submit it to the President. Roy S. Carson: Ok, how much time will that take? Ricardo Gutiérrez: One week. Roy S. Carson: One more week? Ricardo Gutiérrez: In one week, we will be solving that, yes, starting Monday. Roy S. Carson: What do you expect after that? For the President to give the green light or what? Ricardo Gutiérrez: Yes, the President could even lead a special event there at the mines, and not only give the definite approval for the Las Cristinas production to get started, but that he will also inaugurate a broader, more general project, because it's not just about about mining at Las Cristinas, but also in a wide geographical area where there are some similar problems to those at Las Cristinas. Roy S. Carson: Ah, ok. So, the situation will be clarified within one or two weeks? Ricardo Gutiérrez: Yes, Sir. We will have a definitive answer. Roy S. Carson: And, the miners in Bolívar, are they pleased with that? Ricardo Gutiérrez: They are pleased, but we have to satisfy some demands. That's why we are talking about an integral plan, not just for Las Cristinas, but for all the productive, mining sectors. You know that sector is very poor and disenfranchised, it has many economic and social problems, and Crystallex has been doing excellent social labor there, and that helps a lot. Roy S. Carson: So, Crystallex has complied with all the requirements in the area, no? Ricardo Gutiérrez: Yes, they have complied. There were only two things left to finish: one, a system to get ride of the cyanide that is a by-product of the process of gold extraction and processing; and the other issue is that, as always, where there is gold, there is also a significant amount of copper, and we cannot waste that. We must find a way to process and take advantage of that leftover copper. We can do that in a way to benefit the miners, the smaller mining companies, a social project, in short. Roy S. Carson: Ok, perfect. So, the President will inaugurate those mines in two or three weeks? Ricardo Gutiérrez: The idea is for him to host a large event there, and gives his approval to the project. You have to find a way to make things a bit easier sometimes, you know? Roy S. Carson: But, the president of Crystallex, Gordon Thompson, he has been in Venezuela… have you met with him? Ricardo Gutiérrez: We met with Luis Cottin, an engineer that has been on top of the project there in Venezuela and in Las Cristinas, and he is a very knowledgeable and capable manager, his participation in the negotiations has been very useful. Roy S. Carson: Ok. Thank you, sir. Ricardo Gutiérrez: Thank you very much! http://vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=76309 thanks goddem