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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Chavez helping Iran smuggle equipment to Syria |
| 2008-12-22 |
| Iran is using its warm relations with Venezuela to dodge UN sanctions and use Venezuelan aircraft to ship missile parts to Syria, an Italian newspaper reported Sunday. Citing US and other Western intelligence agencies, La Stampa said Iran is using aircraft from Venezuelan airline Conviasa to transport computers and engine components to Syria for use in missiles. The material comes from Iranian industrial group Shahid Bagheri, listed inthe annex of UN Security Council Resolution 1737, adopted in December 2006, for involvement in Iran’s ballistic missile program. The resolution instructed all nations to “prevent the supply, sale or transfer” of all material or technology that could be used for Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme and the development of weapons to carry nuclear warheads. Syria is a close ally of Iran in the Middle East, with the two nations having signed a military cooperation pact in June 2006. In return for providing aircraft, Iran has made available to Caracas members of its Revolution Guards and the elite Al-Quds unit to train and reinforce the Venezuelan police and secret services, La Stampa reported. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez—who share deep hostility towards the United States and the outgoing Bush administration—have signed several agreements on economic cooperation. Chavez has also voiced support for Iran’s nuclear program. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #4 We have the worlds saltiest, gnarliest army. Why don't we use them. They're volunteer, if they don't like fighting they'd quit. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-12-22 23:00 |
| #3 I wouldn't be surprised to learn Iran is doing nuclear research in Venezuela, too. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2008-12-22 18:28 |
| #2 Because Hugo is much too valuable in place. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2008-12-22 17:49 |
| #1 since we have been at war for 7 years now why haven't we brought back political assasinations? |
| Posted by: rabid whitetail 2008-12-22 17:47 |