http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20051111194939.shtml
RosBusinessConsulting (Russia) November 11, 2005 Russia supplying weapons to Venezuela Caracas - Russia will have completed its first delivery of helicopters and small arms weapons (70,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles) to Venezuela by December 15, 2005, Vice-President of Venezuela Jose Vicente told journalists. In May 2005, Rosoboronexport agreed with the Venezuelan authorities on the delivery of 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles, and is now negotiating over deliveries of other weapons and military equipment. ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.mosnews.com/money/2005/11/11/venezuelaarms.shtml MosNews (Russia) November 11, 2005 Russia to Deliver 30,000 Kalashnikovs and 3 Helicopters to Venezuela by Year-End -What the U.S. elite want is to avoid us having relations with Russia or with China, or with France or with India, Chavez said. They try to have a unipolar world, and we want a pluri-polar model, said Chavez, who has clashed repeatedly with U.S. government which he calls imperialist. Russia will deliver 30,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles and three helicopters to Venezuela by the years end as part of a wider arms deal and cooperation, Russian and Venezuelan officials said, quoted by Associated Press agency. 15,000 rifles will arrive to the Latin American country on Dec. 15, with as many to follow on Dec. 30, Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov said after talks in Caracas on Thursday, Nov. 10. Three helicopters bought from Russia will arrive by the end of the year, Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said. The shipments will be the first under a wider agreement, signed in May by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavezs government, for 100,000 Russian-made Kalashnikov AK-103 and AK-104 rifles. The remaining 70,000 rifles will be delivered in March, Zhukov said. Russia agreed to sell Venezuelas military 10 helicopters in March, including Mi-17s, Mi-35s and one Mi-26T, for $120 million. A Venezuelan general announced a deal for five additional Mi-17 helicopters in June for $81 million. MosNews has reported on several occasions that the U.S. administration has expressed concern regarding this contract. U.S. President George W. Bush fears that the guns could fall into the hands of groups such as Colombias leftist rebels. Venezuelan officials, however, call that ridiculous and urged the U.S. not to meddle in Venezuelas affairs. They insisted that the new rifles would merely replace outdated army weaponry. What the U.S. elite want is to avoid us having relations with Russia or with China, or with France or with India, Chavez said. They try to have a unipolar world, and we want a pluri-polar model, said Chavez, who has clashed repeatedly with U.S. government which he calls imperialist. During Alexander Zhukovs visit to Caracas, Russian and Venezuelan officials also signed an agreement pledging greater cooperation in areas including trade, oil, electricity and military technology. Both Rangel and Zhukov said they expect the trade to increase in the coming years as Russia and Venezuela broaden cooperation in areas from oil industry to mining. Trade between Russia and Venezuela neared $65.5 million in the past 10 months, and in the future could increase fivefold, Rangel said. The Venezuelan vice president extended a formal invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the South American country, saying the two governments have excellent relations. Chavez visited Moscow last year. In the oil industry, Venezuela is teaming up with Russian oil firm Lukoil to calculate heavy oil reserves in the east of the country, and Russias Gazprom recently won two natural gas licenses for zones off Venezuelas coast. Were going to strengthen ties in oil and gas, Zhukov said. He also said Russia planned to start assembling buses, tractors and generators in Venezuela. Serbian News Network - SNN [email protected] http://www.antic.org/
