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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| US concerned about Hugo's weapons purchases |
| 2010-04-06 |
| The main concern of the US government about a potential large sale of Russian arms to Venezuela is that the equipment may end up in third countries, US Department of State Spokesman Philip Crowley said on Monday. "But our primary concern is that if Venezuela's going to increase its military hardware, we certainly don't want to see this hardware migrate into other parts of the hemisphere," Crowley said in a press conference. Venezuela could make a request for Russian military equipment for more than USD 5 billion, Russian Premier Vladimir Putin said on Monday after his visit to Caracas, AFP reported. The United States and its main Latin American ally, Colombia, have accused Venezuela several times of financial and logistic links with the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has stubbornly denied such links with the Marxist guerrillas. "We can probably think of better things that could be invested on behalf of the Venezuelan people," Crowley said. The spokesman insisted on saying that the United States does not mind any relationship between Caracas and Moscow. However, he immediately added: "We're hard-pressed to see what legitimate defense needs Venezuela has for the equipment." According to the high-ranking officer, Venezuela has a responsibility for transparency in its acquisitions. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #10 And maybe not then, tw. |
| Posted by: lotp 2010-04-06 20:36 |
| #9 Agreed with all that, Phimble the Grim8504 (Nice first rant, by the way!). But look at the abuse George W. Bush took for being proactive on Iraq. That pretty much guaranteed nobody with any less strength of character would take on the task until the bombs are in the air and minutes from landing in New York and Cincinnati. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-04-06 16:50 |
| #8 As well as being informative, doing the job of a lazy MSM, being out front on the issues; it is often therapeutic. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-04-06 15:59 |
| #7 (quick rant)... WHY! in the hell are we letting all of this handwriting on the wall go unread and so ignored. We will have to deal with Chavez EVENTUALLY. We will have to deal with Iran EVENTUALLY. We will have to deal with Russia EVENTUALLY. Why not strike now while they are disorganized. Russia couldn't win a war with us right now. Their government is the weakest its ever been. Same with Iran and Venezuela but if allowed to beef up unchecked it could be very different in ten years. To hell with this downward slope the media says we're in. Let's restructure the world stage and reduce our enemies to RUBBLE!!! And replace the power positions our fallen adversaries hold now as gifts for our allies in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom so we can all truly LIVE IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY once more, for our children and great-great-grandchildren. (ok, done... thanks) |
| Posted by: Phimble the Grim8504 2010-04-06 13:10 |
| #6 of greatest concern is the sale of 24 - SU30MK multi-role fighters I borrow the words of the immortal Han Solo in responding to Oogo: "But who's gonna fly 'em, kid, you?" |
| Posted by: Steve White 2010-04-06 09:49 |
| #5 of greatest concern is the sale of 24 - SU30MK multi-role fighters as well as helicopters. |
| Posted by: newc 2010-04-06 07:30 |
| #4 The main concern of the US government about a potential large sale of Russian arms to Venezuela is that the equipment may end up in third countries, Like northern Mexico? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-04-06 04:30 |
| #3 Unfortunately, Obama just sees this as more redistributive justice. |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2010-04-06 01:48 |
| #2 Bout bloody time you got concerned, Philip. Should have been reading the burg and you would have been concerned years ago. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2010-04-06 01:36 |
| #1 You know, maybe we should allow Afghan poppy farmers to only sell their wares to Russian dealers. |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-04-06 00:11 |