Ogata meets with Venezuelan governing party leader

   Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo on February 5 met with Delcy Rodriguez, general director of the Simon Bolivar International Center for Political and Economic Analysis, a think tank of the Venezuelan government and governing party, at the JCP head office in Tokyo.

   Rodriguez explained the changes in Venezuela under the Chavez government in the past nine years as well as the ongoing process of founding a new party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

   Ogata said that the JCP has paid careful attention to the development of the Venezuelan situation in which in defiance of attacks and interference by the United States, the Chavez administration has been carrying forward its undertakings to remake the country by confirming the support for the administration by the majority of the public through open elections.

   Ogata and Rodriguez discussed furthering the development of relations between the JCP and the PSUV and the Venezuelan government.

   Rodriguez has held important posts in the government, including minister of the Secretariat of the Presidency.
- Akahata, February 6, 2008