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06-21-2007, 09:56 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070621/wl_nm/venezuela_submarines_dc
Venezuela's Chavez says may buy submarines
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan could buy a fleet of submarines as part of its broad-ranging military purchases, President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday, a week after reports his government would buy submarines from Russia.
Chavez, a self-described leftist revolutionary, has sparked criticism from Washington with a string of military acquisitions including Russian rifles and fighter jets which he says are necessary to defend the OPEC nation from a possible U.S. attack.
"People are making a big fuss about how we might buy some submarines -- why not?," Chavez said during a televised meeting with supporters. "I do not know if we are going to buy them, but if we buy them no one should be alarmed."
Defense Minister Raul Baduel last week denied domestic and international media reports that Venezuela was preparing to buy at least five submarines from Russia, where Chavez is scheduled to visit next week.
Venezuela over the last year has purchased 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 rifles, 24 Sukhoi fighter jets and 53 Russian helicopters as part of a $3 billion long-term arms contract.
The deals came as the U.S. banned arms sales to Venezuela and refused to approve commercial licenses that would allow other countries to sell U.S.-manufactured military technology to the South American nation.
U.S. officials accuse Chavez of launching a military spending spree and question his motives for beefing up Venezuela's armed forces.
Chavez, a former soldier turned leader of an increasingly influential Latin American left, says he is seeking to replace aging equipment and accuses the United States of intervening in Venezuelan affairs by trying to limit its access to arms.
In the coming weeks he is also scheduled to visit Iran and Belarus, countries also openly at odds with the United States.
Venezuela's Chavez says may buy submarines
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan could buy a fleet of submarines as part of its broad-ranging military purchases, President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday, a week after reports his government would buy submarines from Russia.
Chavez, a self-described leftist revolutionary, has sparked criticism from Washington with a string of military acquisitions including Russian rifles and fighter jets which he says are necessary to defend the OPEC nation from a possible U.S. attack.
"People are making a big fuss about how we might buy some submarines -- why not?," Chavez said during a televised meeting with supporters. "I do not know if we are going to buy them, but if we buy them no one should be alarmed."
Defense Minister Raul Baduel last week denied domestic and international media reports that Venezuela was preparing to buy at least five submarines from Russia, where Chavez is scheduled to visit next week.
Venezuela over the last year has purchased 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 rifles, 24 Sukhoi fighter jets and 53 Russian helicopters as part of a $3 billion long-term arms contract.
The deals came as the U.S. banned arms sales to Venezuela and refused to approve commercial licenses that would allow other countries to sell U.S.-manufactured military technology to the South American nation.
U.S. officials accuse Chavez of launching a military spending spree and question his motives for beefing up Venezuela's armed forces.
Chavez, a former soldier turned leader of an increasingly influential Latin American left, says he is seeking to replace aging equipment and accuses the United States of intervening in Venezuelan affairs by trying to limit its access to arms.
In the coming weeks he is also scheduled to visit Iran and Belarus, countries also openly at odds with the United States.