[TankGirl]

San Diego Union Tribune

London mayor signs deal with fellow leftist Chavez for cheap Venezuelan oil

LONDON – London's socialist mayor signed an agreement Tuesday with Venezuela's state-owned oil company to provide discounted oil for the city's iconic red buses, praising the idea as the brainstorm of the country's leftist leader, Hugo Chavez.

Ken Livingstone – a committed socialist known locally as “Red Ken” – met with Chavez last year at City Hall to discuss the deal to provide cheap oil to London in exchange for advice on urban planning in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.

Venezuela has signed similar agreements with cities in several other countries, including the United States. Critics call it “oil diplomacy” – and say it is designed to embarrass President Bush, whom Chavez has repeatedly mocked.

“This arose out of the suggestion of President Hugo Chavez, and builds on the work he is doing around the world to tackle the problem of poverty,” Livingstone said.

The savings – which would cut fuel costs by 20 percent for the city and could amount to about $32 million – are to be directed toward cheaper bus travel for up to 250,000 Londoners living on income support. Those who qualify will get a half-price discount on bus fares.