I think you are being a little simplistic in the points you are making.

"Saying that we are still in control sounds too much like a game of semantics. We are in control of a stalled project which means we basically control nothing."

That MOC is still valid, we have not had an explanation for the withholding of the enviromental permit. To not have recieved a reason for this, is in itself not fair and reasonable treatment. 'The Canadian/Venezuelan Bilateral Treaty' covers this area. The 'stonewalling', and lack of action on KRY's MOC, under the circumstances ( KRY doing everything right), is another blatant infraction of the treaty. .....If as you say, we control nothing, then why has Chavez not simple taken away the MOC.......you can bet they have looked at the situation with a fine tooth comb.

"The MOC clearly states that we accept that another branch of the VZ govt may interfere with the project through legislation and /or administrative decision. Ortega's decision was an administrative decision based on environmental concerns and the MOC appears to explicitely allow for this and absolve the other party of responsibility."

You say 'may', and 'appear'. which are equally ambiguos. I take the admission that VZ can interfer, as just that. Interfer. That doesn't mean that VZ has any LEGAL right, within the Can/Ven treaty, to cancel our MOC.Don't forget, VZ wants to attract foriegn investment. They have little hope now, but if they took away our MOC, they may as well put up a wall around VZ, with signs that say 'NO TRESPASSING, Companies with investments will be shot down.

Pen

KRY obviously has a great deal of power with their MOC. If not, we would be history a long time ago.