Venezuelan aid to the Pacific Northwest?

Published: Saturday, August 12, 2006

Venezuela bids cheap oil to tribes
Others have taken deal from controversial leader

By Krista J. Kapralos and Lukas Velush
Herald Writers

Venezuela's state-owned oil company wants to offer deeply discounted home heating oil to American Indian tribes throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Representatives of oil-giant Citgo Petroleum Corp. have contacted the Tulalip Tribes, the Yakama Nation in central Washington, the Nez Perce and Coeur D'Alene tribes in Idaho and many others with information about a possible 40 percent discount on home heating oil.

Citgo is a Houston-based subsidiary of an oil corporation controlled by Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, its controversial elected president ...

... In brochures circulated among Pacific Northwest tribal leaders, Chavez said the program brings a better life to the poorest and most vulnerable people.

"This program fulfills a promise I made to the people of the United States, and it is a gift warmly given to our American friends," Chavez said.

Cantwell did not respond to questions about whether the letter she signed has attracted Chavez to the state.

In an e-mail, Cantwell said she welcomes any oil company's efforts to help low-income families pay their heating bills.

Cantwell spokeswoman Charla Neuman later said in an e-mail that what matters is that this program could help Washington state families, regardless of political motivation.

"I don't think any of us really believe oil companies make decisions from their hearts," Neuman said.