IMHO, an arb announcement now serves many puposes,

1) If negotiations between the Chinese and CVG are ongoing, it strengthens the Chinese side. Whether to scare venezuela of the cost of their decision, or to say, "hey, if you don't want us working here, fine, we'll have to finance these guys we had a deal with, and this is the loss you can face"

2) it sends a message to anyone who may be trying to attempt a stink bid (i.e. Rusoro), not to bother coming forward with anything less than at least $600 million. I mean, we can wait a few years and get a potential $2-3 billion.

3) it send a message to the noteholders to back off a bit as we try to find someone willing to finance our huge arbitration claim. ( if they don't want to)

4) and what the hell, its a big F.U. to venezuela.

Cheers,

FK.