Scottish Socialist Party representative Barbara Scott presented the
following letter to President Chavez during his recent visit to London.

Letter from SSP to Hugo Chavez:

Dear President Chavez,

The executive committee of the Scottish Socialist Party, our six elected
members of the Scottish Parliament and our entire membership welcome you to
the United Kingdom.
Scotland is an ancient nation within the UK state with a vibrant movement
seeking its full independence from the UK.
The SSP fully supports this aim.
Like Venezuela, Scotland has lived with the consequences of a close
relationship with a powerful neighbour.
In our case this has involved us in the economic and military structures of
the imperialist British State, a situation we are striving to end.
In particular this relationship has, in a parallel to Venezuela's
experience, seen our large oil reserves plundered by multinational
companies.
We have followed with great interest and a warm sense of solidarity, the
progress of the Bolivarian revolution and its liberating impact on the lives
of the Venezuelan people.
You will know that the annual congress of the Scottish TUC last month
supported the Bolivarian process in your country and intends to invite
fellow workers from Venezuela to Scotland.
We have and will continue to offer our fullest solidarity with both you and
the Venezuelan people who are charting a progressive path for Venezuela
which is an example for the world.
Please accept our warmest best wishes and solidarity both to yourself and to
the Venezuelan people whose actions and victories we are following with
close interest and the strongest sense of solidarity.