Coke willing to cooperate with Venezuela's Chavez

CARACAS, Venezuela

Venezuela's Coca-Cola bottler says the company is willing to relocate a distribution center and parking lot if an agreement can be reached with the government.

President Hugo Chavez has ordered Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela SA to turn the area in the country's capital over to the local community within two weeks.

Coca-Cola issued a statement on Monday saying the company is evaluating the president's request.

The bottler said it was optimistic that conversations with the government would "bring about proposals and alternatives that benefit everyone."

Chavez did not say what measures his government could take if the company spurns his request.

The socialist leader has ordered the expropriation of property belonging to locally and foreign-owned companies in the past.