The other thing to remember is that Chavez gets his girdle in a knot really easy, and I belief that Fung thought our best chance to negotiate something, was NOT to do or say anything that would give Chavez a reason to get his nose bent out of shape. I think most of us felt that there was still a chance for saner heads to prevail. Then after the Chinese came into the picture, most, I believe, felt we were saved, although many complained we gave up too much.

Of course, as has been mentioned, hindsight is 20/20. To blame Fung for the absolutely irratic, irrational, and 'insane actions of Chavez, is, I believe, just lashing out at the easiest target.

There is not one of us, or any other CEO and Board of Directors, that could have secured the permits for Las Crystinas. I think Fung got as much as humanly possible under the circumstances, under Chavez's rule. Rusoro is the only company that has a chance to stay there under some terms or other, and even they haven't been able to come to an agreement.....and they are run by Russians.......

Penderite