If anyone needs a nuclear power plant for electricity generation it is Venezuela.

The new deal for a Venezuela nuclear reactor for for electricity generation is extremely important as Venezuela has had a real problem with drought over the past few years limiting the amount of hydro power they can produce. Last year was especially worrisome as the water reservoirs were at an historic low. A nuclear reactor power generation plant will really help to stabilize the power situation in Venezuela.

The concern with this nuclear power plant will be the same for Iran. The fear is that the enrichment process for the uranium can be used to generate fission material for nuclear warheads.

However I am sure that Venezuela will avoid the mistakes that Iran leadership has made to ensure that the United States and Nato do not feel in any way threatened by Venezuela's new civilian nuclear power program to generate electricity for the country.

National security for Venezuela includes knowing you have enough electricity to run your country.

Russia has an expertise in building nuclear electrical generation facilities and so this is a great export for them to help out Venezuela and their power needs.

Everything is important to keep trade going back and forth between Venezuela and Russia. Money in motion keeps people employed, industry running and new technology being developed. And in this particular case it continues to develop Russia's nuclear electrical generation technology to the benefit of Venezuela.

The official visit with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez seems to be going very well with a lot of cross cultural trade being discussed from investments in banana plantations to the purchase of the five battalions of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems that had been intended for Iran.

Investing in Venezuela's banana plantations is a wise way to recirculate some of $800 million that will be received from Venezuela for the five new battalions of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems they would like to purchase. Out of this deal Russians will get access to lots of bananas to sell in their grocery stores year round. Bananas are a very good source of potassium and who does not love bananas.

I was also happy to read that the five battalions of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems have found a possible new home in Venezuela. The Russian defense manufacturing industry will be very relieved that a new buyer has been found since the original Iran deal fell through. Losing $800 million in sales simply hurts business, makes it hard to pay employees, and further restricts future arms development.

And with oil and natural gas fields to protect from the constant threat of enemy invasion, Venezuela will be able to put these five battalions of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems to good use immediately.

The United States may not be to happy about this purchase but I am pretty sure this will not bother Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at all.

A properly defended country is a happy country and now Venezuela will feel a little more secure.

All in all I would say it has been a very productive two days of talks with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and cementing some critical deals of international trade and commerce.

Arnold Vinette