Director OLIVER STONE has rubbished claims he is to make a movie about the 2002 Venezuela coup that briefly ousted President HUGO CHAVEZ.

On Sunday (21MAY06) Chavez announced his government had given permission for the film.

Chavez - who claims the coup was planned by the US - said, "Top news - two filmmakers join forces to make movie about the coup in Venezuela.

"Could it be that the government of the empire will try to prevent the filming of a movie about a coup that they themselves planned and carried out? Let's see if they can."

But Stone is baffled. He says, "Rumours that I am directing a film about the 2002 coup in Venezuela are untrue and unfounded."

The Venezuelan coup occurred on 12 April 2002 when a group of politicians and dissident military officers assumed power, following reports Chavez had resigned.

Chavez insists he never resigned and returned to power two days later.