Russian arms sale to Chavez irks U.S.

Washington Times ^ | February 10, 2005 | Rowan Scarborough

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The Bush administration has lodged a formal protest with Russia for agreeing to provide the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez more than 100,000 AK-47 rifles that U.S. officials believe could be used to aid left-wing uprisings in Latin America.

The administration in December sent a secret letter of protest (formally called a demarche) to the Russian Embassy in Washington, according to senior U.S. officials. The officials say the warning was followed up by concerns expressed directly to the Russian defense and foreign ministers.

............ Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuela's ambassador to the U.S., denied yesterday his country plans to ship weapons for rebel uprisings.

"This is outrageous," Mr. Alvarez said. "How do you think we can do that? Venezuela is a respectable country. We have never participated in arms traffic at all." He said Venezuela is buying the rifles "because of defensive purposes for the country."

"We support a peaceful and democratic revolution," Mr. Alvarez said. "We cannot be encouraging any other situation that is not democratic and peaceful."

Washington, however, is wary of Mr. Chavez, who calls the United States an imperialistic power that has to be confronted. ...........

[Paul_Denton]

All I can tell you is that if I'm a Venezuelan Mig-29 pilot and a USAF or USN attack squadron is coming, I'm headin' to Peru or Ecuador.

That is assuming they knew what was coming. If we sick the F-22s on them the Mig-29s will be so much scorched metal on the jungle floor.