quote:

Venezuela softens stance on U.S. ties, drugs By Patrick Markey1 hour, 41 minutes ago Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Monday his government would renew cooperation with Washington in the fight against drug trafficking in an effort to improve ties strained by diplomatic squabbling. Chavez's conciliatory gesture followed weeks of sniping between Venezuela and the United States after the left-wing leader suspended cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and accused its agents of spying. Addressing reporters after meeting with U.S. activist Rev. Jesse Jackson, Chavez said his government wanted to ease tensions between his government and the administration of President Bush. "Despite of the differences and the tense relations..., we are willing to continue working with the government of Mr. Bush in the fight against drugs," Chavez said with Jackson sitting by his side. "We have no intention of damaging relations any further on the contrary we want to improve them in politics and in economics." Relations between the United States and Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter, have chilled since Chavez came to power in 1998 ushering in social reforms and forging close diplomatic ties with Communist Cuba. Washington portrays Chavez as a menace to the region, but the former soldier counters that his self-proclaimed revolution is an alternative to failed U.S. polices in South America. Chavez often accuses the United States of plotting to kill him. Tensions were heightened further last week when conservative U.S. evangelist Pat Robertson called on Washington to assassinate Chavez. Robertson later apologized and U.S. officials called his remarks inappropriate. Chavez held private talks with Jackson on Monday, during which they discussed Robertson's comments, bilateral relations and initiatives for the poor. "What we discussed is the need for a detente in the hostile rhetoric," Jackson told reporters. After Venezuela suspended ties with the DEA, the United States revoked the U.S. visas of three top Venezuelan military officers, including the National Guard narcotics squad chief, who Washington said were suspected of drug trafficking. Following Robertson's comments, Venezuelan authorities said they had temporarily suspended permits for foreign missionaries while they tightened regulations on religious groups entering the South American country. http://today.reuters.com/News/newsA...UELA-USA-DC.XML

anyone want to take a guess what Jesse said to them?