Article

2010-04-07 Caribbean-Latin America

Hugo's purchase of Russian arms to exceed $9.4 billion

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Posted by Steve White 2010-04-07 00:00|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 So either the weapons are to be used against his neighbors, or against his own people.

Five billion is a lot of jack for a country that can't keep the lights on reliably. Submarines, air defense and MLRS says he is thinking about his neighbors. The rest of his shopping list is useful in either scenario.

Posted by SteveS 2010-04-07 00:42|| 2010-04-07 00:42|| Front Page Top

#2 If we'd stop poking ourselves in the eyes like the Three Stooges we might figure out that drilling could help with this problem.

Posted by gorb 2010-04-07 01:12|| 2010-04-07 01:12|| Front Page Top

#3 Does he HAVE 9.4 Billion?
Putin will have to send Vinnie and some of the boys around to give him a little 'reminder'.

Posted by Cheresh Black7582 2010-04-07 01:43|| 2010-04-07 01:43|| Front Page Top

#4 Netherlands Antilles.

Posted by Pstanley 2010-04-07 02:22|| 2010-04-07 02:22|| Front Page Top

#5 I wonder if any of these weapons find their way to the drug cartels along the Mexican-U.S. border?

Posted by JohnQC 2010-04-07 08:29|| 2010-04-07 08:29|| Front Page Top

#6 Here is my prediction:

Hugo will make a downpayment (two billion or so) but will run out of money. The Russians will escalate the price and then default on delivery. Hugo's successor and Putin's successor will be arguing about a refund for the next twenty years

Posted by john frum 2010-04-07 08:37|| 2010-04-07 08:37|| Front Page Top

#7 I like happy endings John F.

Posted by JohnQC 2010-04-07 08:41|| 2010-04-07 08:41|| Front Page Top

#8 Oooooh, old Russkie diesel-electric boats! Can you say "target practice"?

Posted by mojo 2010-04-07 11:19|| 2010-04-07 11:19|| Front Page Top

#9 I don't think i would write a check for the S-300 just yet. Seems Iran has been trying too get theirs delivered fo about 5 years now

Posted by chris 2010-04-07 11:20|| 2010-04-07 11:20|| Front Page Top

#10 Another vote for against his own people. The joker wasn't buying subs and missiles capable of striking Miami. The absurdly large AK-47 buy gives the game away.

Posted by lex 2010-04-07 15:44|| 2010-04-07 15:44|| Front Page Top

#11 Putin will have to send Vinnie and some of the boys around to give him a little 'reminder'.

Not necessarily. Remember Saddam's Oil-for-Fraud payoff of (per his accountant's ledger) "$91 million to the Office of the Russian President"?

Occam would bet that a goodly % of the funds will be wired to certain numbered accounts in the Caribbean (for Oogo) and Switzerland (for Volodya). 10% in toto wouldn't be farfetched. Citibank's private banking group will be happy.

Posted by lex 2010-04-07 15:47|| 2010-04-07 15:47|| Front Page Top

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