Article

2008-09-11 Caribbean-Latin America

Russian strategic bombers in Venezuela for 'training': Chavez

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Posted by john frum 2008-09-11 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 Are they going bombing in Bolivia?

Posted by 3dc 2008-09-11 00:41|| 2008-09-11 00:41|| Front Page Top

#2 RUSSIA is reportedly interested in "TEMPORARILY BASING" ASW AIRCRAFT in the area, and allegedly one or a few surface warships includ at least one NUKE MISSLE-ARMED VESSEL???

Posted by JosephMendiola 2008-09-11 01:07|| 2008-09-11 01:07|| Front Page Top

#3 Two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers were in Venezuela on Wednesday for "training flights," Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said, adding he would be piloting one of the aircraft.

"I hope that stings, 'pitiyanquis'," he said, using a derogatory term for Venezuelan opponents who have perceived US sympathies.

"What's more, I'm going to take the controls of one of these monsters," boasted the president...

Hugo, monsters don't scare Americans. Not even our women. This is what our American women do to monsters. Our babes will just "kill-it and grill-it", chump!!

>:-(

Posted by Flavinter Cherese8323 2008-09-11 01:55|| 2008-09-11 01:55|| Front Page Top

#4 Be sure to push the stick all the way forward Hugo. That is sure to scare the Americans.

Posted by ed 2008-09-11 02:05|| 2008-09-11 02:05|| Front Page Top

#5 Russian strategic bombers in Venezuela for 'training': Chavez

Suggestion to HUGO:

Buy Depends they're on sale Hugo; and then "Double UP"!

meaning, Put both over your mouth... don't worry about your pantz Hugo, No one will find much of you left...

Posted by Red Dawg">Red Dawg 2008-09-11 04:24|| 2008-09-11 04:24|| Front Page Top

#6 SWEET! F-22 Training drones at zero cost! How awesome will it be when we start to escort encroaching TU-160's with Reaper UAV's?

Posted by Jiggs Elmoluger3473 2008-09-11 11:15|| 2008-09-11 11:15|| Front Page Top

#7 Time for the "emergency eject" training, I think...

Posted by mojo">mojo 2008-09-11 11:25|| 2008-09-11 11:25|| Front Page Top

#8 Because bombers always practice alongside fleet maneuvers.

Posted by rjschwarz 2008-09-11 11:27|| 2008-09-11 11:27|| Front Page Top

#9 For the Russians, they do.

Posted by Pappy 2008-09-11 11:46|| 2008-09-11 11:46|| Front Page Top

#10 Along with all this crap comes the news from the FAA that direct flights from Venezula to the US cannot be guaranteed safe since Venezula will not allow our security measures to be enacted on those flights.
Seems to me that if the FAA knows this they should be able to deny entry into US airspace. More testicular atrophy from the second most useless governmental agency(TSA owns the top spot, IMHO).

Posted by USN, Ret. 2008-09-11 13:55|| 2008-09-11 13:55|| Front Page Top

#11 I'm not sure FAA has the authority to do that without State Dept. being involved, or possibly Commerce Dept. Anyone have any insight on that ?

Posted by lotp 2008-09-11 15:07|| 2008-09-11 15:07|| Front Page Top

#12 per this link, FAA clearance is needed to enter controlled airspace. that clearance is granted by the respective air traffic control center. that doesn't prevent an unauthorized entry, but upon landing there will be 'dire consequences.'
http://www.gaservingamerica.org/how_work/work_airspace.htm

Posted by USN, Ret. 2008-09-11 15:52|| 2008-09-11 15:52|| Front Page Top

#13 From TSA Website:
September 8, 2008
Contact: TSA Public Affairs
571-227-2829

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced that the agency has been unable to assess security measures at international airports in Venezuela that serve as the last point of departure for nonstop flights to the United States. Venezuela has refused multiple requests to allow for such assessments, which are required by U.S. law, and the agency is taking action to warn travelers of this security deficiency.

Air carriers issuing tickets for travel between the United States and Venezuela are directed to notify ticket purchasers in writing of the situation. TSA also directed that this advisory be displayed prominently at all U.S. airports and published in the Federal Register, pursuant to Title 49 U.S.C., Section 114. The order is effective immediately.

Under Title 49 of the U.S. Code, Section 44907, the Department of Homeland Security is required to assess security at foreign airports with direct service to the United States to determine compliance with standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

There is a critical need for TSA officials to visit Venezuela's airports to determine both the full compliance with ICAO standards and the ability to maintain the standards. The agency will continue to work with the authorities in Venezuela to schedule visits in a timely manner.

For more information about TSA, please visit our Web site at www.tsa.gov.

Airport security may be a minor issue, compared to getting to the airport or leaving for town. Here is an excerpt of a US Dept of State advisory on their website:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violent crime in Venezuela is pervasive, both in the capital, Caracas, and in the interior. The country has one of the highest per-capita murder rates in the world. Armed robberies take place in broad daylight throughout the city, including areas generally presumed safe and frequented by tourists. A common technique is to choke the victim into unconsciousness and then rob them of all they are carrying. Well-armed criminal gangs operate with impunity, often setting up fake police checkpoints. Kidnapping is a particularly serious problem, with more than 1,000 reported during the past year alone. Investigation of all crime is haphazard and ineffective. In the case of high-profile killings, the authorities quickly round up suspects, but rarely produce evidence linking these individuals to the crime. Only a very small percentage of criminals are tried and convicted.

Travel to and from Maiquetía Airport, the international airport serving Caracas, can be dangerous and corruption at the airport itself is rampant. Travelers at the airport have been victims of personal property theft, as well as mugging and express kidnapping in which individuals are taken to make purchases or to withdraw as much money as possible from ATMs, often at gunpoint. The Embassy has received multiple, credible reports that individuals with what appear to be official uniforms or other credentials are involved in facilitating or perpetrating these crimes. For this reason, American citizen travelers should be wary of all strangers, even those in official uniform or carrying official identification. There are also known drug trafficking groups working from the airport. Travelers should not accept packages from anyone and should keep their luggage with them at all times.

Because of the frequency of robberies at gunpoint, travelers are encouraged to arrive during daylight hours. If not, travelers should use extra care both within and outside the airport. The Embassy strongly advises that all arriving passengers make advance plans for transportation from the airport to their place of lodging. If possible, travelers should arrange to be picked up at the airport by someone who is known to them. The Embassy has received frequent reports of armed robberies in taxicabs going to and from the airport at Maiquetía. There is no foolproof method of knowing whether a taxi driver at the airport is reliable. The fact that a taxi driver presents a credential or drives an automobile with official taxi license plates marked libre is no longer an indication of reliability. Incidents of taxi drivers in Caracas overcharging, robbing, and injuring passengers are common. Travelers should take care to use radio-dispatched taxis or those from reputable hotels. Travelers should call a 24-hour radio-dispatched taxi service from a public phone lobby or ask hotel, restaurant, or airline representatives to contact a licensed cab company for them.

Sounds like a chapter from "World's Most Dangerous Places." Heh.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2008-09-11 21:53|| 2008-09-11 21:53|| Front Page Top

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