With regards to the trip to China, I was thinking that the flooding there could also be a reason why this meet was delayed. From the paragraph below....

"The agenda includes a meeting of work with the vicedirector of the National School of Administration of China, Wei Liqun, with that signed in August of 2009 memorando of understanding of cooperation for the qualification in the matter of formation of officials a government."

I was thinking that China must have gotten pretty frustrated with VZ's lack of cohesion in terms of administration, workings between different levels of government, and the internal political differences that undoubtably have created many roadblocks in the past, with regards to getting anything done in VZ. China must have a pretty well oiled machine by now.....besides the fact that it's a dictatorship. You know....'this is what were going to do, make it happen'.

Maybe China's co-operation extends to lessons in how to make bureaucracy work. It's obviously been a big stumbling block to getting things done there.

As far as how important this mine is to Chavez and the country in general, lets not forget that the bigger issue for the people is getting the thousands of artisan miners working legally, and families being supported. I strongly believe that this is integrally tied to the permit. Chavez would be shooting himself in the foot if he allowed a foreign power to start working on a gold mine before his own people were allow in.

With an announcement about our mine, there would also be an announcement about the thousands of jobs created, not just at LC, but all over Bolivar. I believe that several other projects will be announced as well, either at the same time, or one after the other....whatever Chavez thinks will have the most impact, before the elections. Don't forget that the relationship with China involves many major projects....we are just one. As well, the unions were making the news a lot last month....so it will be important to have them on side as well.

I believe our announcement is tied to a much bigger story. We are just one of many projects to be announced. I really hope EZ is right, and this latest delegation has worked out the final details, and signed the final documents and agreements.

Lets hope and pray.

Pen