Het Neoliberale Geloof 170

'CARACAS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took a swipe at Lehman Brothers on Tuesday, chuckling over the firm`s collapse and dismissing its past criticism of the Venezuelan economy. `They were always producing negative reports about Venezuela,` Chavez told reporters. `They forgot about themselves ... and `boom!` they were bankrupt.` Many investment firms, including Lehman (LEH.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), question the strength of Venezuela`s fast-growing economy, saying it relies too heavily on oil exports and is failing to attract foreign investment. Chavez pointed out the economy has grown for nearly five years. `Few people in the world say that,` he said. `Lehman Brothers, for example, never said it, maybe that`s why things didn`t go well for them.` Venezuela`s economy grew 7.1 percent in the second quarter, with high crude oil prices funding a construction boom and public spending. Chavez`s comments echo recent criticism of Lehman by his ally, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez. Earlier this month, she said the firm should `worry more about their own books` after it raised questions about Argentina`s economy. Lehman filed for bankruptcy on Monday.'
Zie: http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2008/9/32502_space.html