http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/368/14956_weapons.html
Washington campaigns to frustrate sale of Russian weapons to
Venezuela
02/12/2005 13:21
The operation complies with all international regulations. However,
the US State Department lodged a formal protest with Russia in which demonizes
President Chavez as a leftist agitator and a Castro-styled dictator. Moscow and
Caracas rejected allegations.
As anticipated by PRAVDA.Ru in December last year, Washington is
campaigning to frustrate the sale of Russian weapons to Venezuela -a large
operation estimated in $ 5 billion-, despite the deal complies with all
international regulations. On Thursday, the US State Department made public
that it was "troubled" by Russia's military cooperation with the South American
nation, suggesting that the arms could be used to aid leftist guerrillas in
Latin America.
The arms pact announced last year by Venezuela's President Hugo
Chavez would give the South American OPEC member 100,000 AK-47 automatic rifles
and 40 MI-35 helicopters. Venezuela is also evaluating Russian MiG-29 fighters
as possible replacements for the old US F-16s.
The US opposition to the operation provoked reactions in Moscow and
Caracas. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Interfax that the arms
delivery "is a matter of cooperation between the two countries". "Our bilateral
cooperation does not go beyond any international norms and obligations. There
is nothing to comment on," the minister was quoted as saying.
Interfax also quoted Moscow officials stating that Russia evaluates
Washington's statements as unfounded and biased. "Moscow was surprised to hear
about the U.S. State Department's concerns in relation to the possible shipment
of Kalashnikov assault rifles from Russia to Venezuela," the source is quoted
as saying.
In Washington, the Venezuela's ambassador to the United States,
Bernardo Alvarez, said there appeared to be a campaign to discredit his country
under way featuring critical media coverage attributed to unnamed officials.
"It's clear that there is an orchestrated campaign. I don't know why, but the
thing is to create the impression that we are a hostile country, a terrorist
country, a pariah state," Alvarez said.
In fact, the US say Chavez is trying to prop up leftist uprisings
across the continent to spread his leftist "Bolivarian Revolution" to other
nations. Washington has been also hostile to Chavez"s ties with Castro"s regime
Cuba and his personal friendship with the Cuban leader.
"Venezuela's plans to purchase various types and large quantities
of weapons are extremely troubling," said State Department spokesman Lou
Fintor. "Our concerns about these weapons purchases are heightened by
Venezuela's tolerance for groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC), the Colombian terrorist group the National Liberation Army,
and others."
However, the US has repeatedly failed to probe allegations and not
a single country in Latin America has supported US statements. What is certain
is that since 2000, Washington has spent up to $3 billion in "military aid" to
Venezuela"s neighbour, Colombia, to support an unsuccessful offensive against
leftist rebels. It is also a fact that almost 1,000 US officers are training
Colombian armed forces, in a move that breaks the balance of military power in
the region. It is also a fact that the Washington- backed Colombian army has
close links with the notorious far right death squads, accused of crimes
against humanity by the United Nations, the Organization of American States
and, paradoxically, by the US Congress more than once. It is also a fact that
tons of US weapons have been found in possession of these death squads after
being used to butch poor farmers in Colombia"s jungles.
Apart from this, the US media quoted recent intelligence reports
stating that Chavez is moving to an authoritarian regime and to a closer
cooperation with Cuba. Allegations about Venezuela"s authoritarian regime, come
only six months after President Chavez accepted and won a recall referendum
against him, validated by the OAS and the Carter"s Institute, among other
international observers.
As for the cooperation with Cuba, PRAVDA.Ru is in position to
confirm that about 20,000 -5,000 more than the figure quoted in CIA"s report-
Cuban doctors and teachers are working in Venezuela in health and
alphabetization programs. Cuba has similar deals with other nations in Africa
and Latin America, which do not attract the attention of US spies.
US State Department statement came only a week after Venezuela
announced its intention to shift its oil sales strategy to diversify oil
exports away from the United States in favor of other nations in Latin America
and Asia. It is also rumoured that Venezuela plans to sell its oil refineries
in the USA because they are unprofitable. Oil rich Venezuela is world's fifth
oil exporter and responsible of 15% of US crude imports.
Hernan Etchaleco
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