Herman Hum
27 Jul 06, 15:07
Russia Defies U.S. with Venezuela Fighter Sale
By ALEKSANDRAS BUDRYS, REUTERS, MOSCOW
DefenseNews (http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1982255&C=airwar)
Russia said on July 27 it had sold 24 aircraft and 53 helicopters to Venezuela, defying the United States which has urged Moscow to halt arms sales to Venezuela’s populist president Hugo Chavez.
Russia’s arms export chief, speaking as Chavez met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, said the aircraft deal was part of a long-term package of arms contracts with Venezuela that was worth over $3 billion.
Chavez is a vocal critic of what he calls U.S. imperialism. Washington considers him a dangerous radical and had urged Russia to rethink the weapons sale. It bans its own producers from selling weapons to Venezuela.
"In the face of a blockade that was imposed on us, Russia extended us a hand," Chavez said after his talks with Putin.
The arms deal is likely to add to friction in an already testy relationship between Washington and a Russia which, under Putin, has taken on a more assertive international role.
Russia has already supplied Kalashnikov automatic weapons to Venezuela and some attack helicopters. Chavez says he is preparing his armed forces to repel U.S. aggression.
At the Kremlin talks with Chavez, Putin tried to reassure Washington about the weapons deals. "Cooperation between Russia and Venezuela is not directed against third countries," he said.
It was not clear if Chavez and Putin themselves had signed any weapons contracts during their talks.
Sergei Chemezov, head of Russian state arms trader Rosoboronexport, told reporters the deal on aircraft and helicopters was already sealed. "We have sold 24 airplanes and 53 helicopters," he said.
ARMS CONTRACTS
He said it was part of arms contracts with Venezuela that were signed over the past 18 months. "The value is over $3 billion," Chemezov said.
Chemezov did not give details, but Venezuela had been expected to buy at least 24 Russian Sukhoi-30 jets that Chavez wants to replace his air-force’s U.S. F-16 jets.
Russian media reported Chavez could also be interested in buying surface-to-air missiles and possibly even a submarine.
Relations between Washington and Moscow have been strained by differences over the Middle East and Iran’s nuclear program, and by U.S. allegations that Putin is backtracking on democracy.
Earlier, Chavez had savaged the United States with the colorful rhetoric that he has made his trademark.
"The biggest threat which exists in the world is the empire of the United States," Chavez said while unveiling a bust of 19th-century South American liberation hero Simon Bolivar at a Moscow library.
"It is a senseless, blind, stupid giant which doesn’t understand the world, doesn’t understand human rights, doesn’t understand anything about humanity, culture and consciousness."
Putin said in the Kremlin he "welcomes the intentions of Venezuela to occupy a place in the U.N. Security Council as a non-permanent member."
Venezuela is lobbying for the two-year seat on the Council, saying it would help counterbalance Washington’s influence.
Chavez is on a world tour that has included meetings with U.S. foes such as Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. He will also visit Iran.
By ALEKSANDRAS BUDRYS, REUTERS, MOSCOW
DefenseNews (http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1982255&C=airwar)
Russia said on July 27 it had sold 24 aircraft and 53 helicopters to Venezuela, defying the United States which has urged Moscow to halt arms sales to Venezuela’s populist president Hugo Chavez.
Russia’s arms export chief, speaking as Chavez met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, said the aircraft deal was part of a long-term package of arms contracts with Venezuela that was worth over $3 billion.
Chavez is a vocal critic of what he calls U.S. imperialism. Washington considers him a dangerous radical and had urged Russia to rethink the weapons sale. It bans its own producers from selling weapons to Venezuela.
"In the face of a blockade that was imposed on us, Russia extended us a hand," Chavez said after his talks with Putin.
The arms deal is likely to add to friction in an already testy relationship between Washington and a Russia which, under Putin, has taken on a more assertive international role.
Russia has already supplied Kalashnikov automatic weapons to Venezuela and some attack helicopters. Chavez says he is preparing his armed forces to repel U.S. aggression.
At the Kremlin talks with Chavez, Putin tried to reassure Washington about the weapons deals. "Cooperation between Russia and Venezuela is not directed against third countries," he said.
It was not clear if Chavez and Putin themselves had signed any weapons contracts during their talks.
Sergei Chemezov, head of Russian state arms trader Rosoboronexport, told reporters the deal on aircraft and helicopters was already sealed. "We have sold 24 airplanes and 53 helicopters," he said.
ARMS CONTRACTS
He said it was part of arms contracts with Venezuela that were signed over the past 18 months. "The value is over $3 billion," Chemezov said.
Chemezov did not give details, but Venezuela had been expected to buy at least 24 Russian Sukhoi-30 jets that Chavez wants to replace his air-force’s U.S. F-16 jets.
Russian media reported Chavez could also be interested in buying surface-to-air missiles and possibly even a submarine.
Relations between Washington and Moscow have been strained by differences over the Middle East and Iran’s nuclear program, and by U.S. allegations that Putin is backtracking on democracy.
Earlier, Chavez had savaged the United States with the colorful rhetoric that he has made his trademark.
"The biggest threat which exists in the world is the empire of the United States," Chavez said while unveiling a bust of 19th-century South American liberation hero Simon Bolivar at a Moscow library.
"It is a senseless, blind, stupid giant which doesn’t understand the world, doesn’t understand human rights, doesn’t understand anything about humanity, culture and consciousness."
Putin said in the Kremlin he "welcomes the intentions of Venezuela to occupy a place in the U.N. Security Council as a non-permanent member."
Venezuela is lobbying for the two-year seat on the Council, saying it would help counterbalance Washington’s influence.
Chavez is on a world tour that has included meetings with U.S. foes such as Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. He will also visit Iran.