I agree with oldfool. Clearly, IMHO, KRY mismanaged this whole thing over many years by believing the middle management Vennies, who they were talking to every week, had any real power to move LC forward. They didn't and they still don't.

But, that aside, the coca-leafed soaked brain of one Hugo Chavez made it virtually impossible for KRY to partner with anyone other than some commie or radical country. No Yankee company would have been acceptable to Chavez, not even an African company or country. Russia, Iran, Yemen or North Korea would have been acceptable to Chavez but they don't have the money.

China is THE most capitalistic commie country on the planet and frankly, I still believe, KRY's only hope for a JV.

But I also believe China does not have the power to force this down Hugo's throat. It they did we wouldn't still be talking about this.

China has influence but Chavez calls all the shots and he always will.

I find the position we are in, no matter how many "positive" signs we are currently seeing, is still about where we were years ago expecting the permit: "soon", "by Easter", etc.

If news does come out this quarter I think it could be, just as easily good news as bad news, or watered-down good news.

And, I contend, that even a JV with the Chinese will not get KRY positive press that moves the retail market in North America.

I believe the slash and burn policies of Chavez have burned too many for there to be a skyrocket on the announcement of a JV.

Cividale