Posted on 09/02/2007 1:51:41 PM PDT by Jeff Head
In a new outburst of antiwestern sabre-rattling, President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has threatened Britain with “revenge” for the Falklands war of 1982. The belligerent Latin American leftist warned last week that his recent build-up of sophisticated Russian and Iranian weapons would be used to destroy the British fleet if it attempted to return to the South Atlantic.
Speaking on his weekly television show Alo Presidente (Hello, Mr President), Chavez denounced what he described as Britain’s “illegal occupation” of the Falklands and repeated his call for a regional military alliance against Britain and the United States.
“If we had been united in the last war, we could have stopped the old empire,” Chavez said, as he gesticulated to maps showing how Venezuelan aircraft and submarines would intercept British warships. “Today we could sink the British fleet.”
Chavez has often expressed support for Argentina’s claim to the Falklands, but his latest broadside was notable for both its antiBritish vitriol and its unprecedented threats. He declared that British history was “stained with the blood of South America’s indigenous people” and demanded revenge for the “cowardly” sinking of the General Belgrano, the Argentine cruiser.
Western diplomats have long grown used to harangues from Chavez, who announced this weekend that he would negotiate with guerrillas holding dozens of hostages in Colombia, including three US contractors and Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian abducted as she campaigned for president in 2002. But US and British officials have recently become more concerned by his willingness to lavish billions of dollars from Venezuela’s soaring oil income on military capabilities.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
The Venezuelans have purchased the SU-30MK2s and the Venezuelans also have in-flight refueling capability with both KC-135 and C-130H aircraft. The new SU-30MK2s have the ability to be refueled in-flight which extends their range. I guess I took it for granted that you knew this...clearly, that was my bad.
That puts the UK route within their range.
Venezuelan SU-30MK2s
Venezuelan Boeing 707-384C (KC-135)
If they guy is going to destabalize the western hemisphere single-handedly, we better find one. Otherwise we’ll be combating the Chinese army in our own neck of the woods.
Isn’t that amazing. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that.
Thats what it looks like. I can't see Venezuelans driving 40 year old vehicles in order to turn Chavez into a New Age Castro.
Any odds on how long he is gonna last?
Venezuelan Boeing 707-384C (KC-135)
The gym or the range ?......:o)
Now I would have lost that bet......they have KC’s ???
Good info, thanks !
I have no idea. He can squander all of the oil revenue he wants on military equipment, but that will not buy him one more day on earth when the stupid socialist decides to use it.
It ain't undue force till there's no one left to sign the surrender papers.
And that is your ego will not allow you to admit you offered up a wrong statement and are unable, or unwilling, to admit that...
Your adding chaft to the wheat will not make eatable bread!
My opinion of you has fallen drastically...
I am not above making a mistake and God knows I have made a bunch of them in my 60 years. Yet I have never felt I was above my peers here on FR when I misspoke or misstated something.
You have placed yourself on a plain above us mere mortals here on FR, and that I find contemptible in someone I agreed with in the past.
Refuting an argument with facts not then in play is the action one would expect from someone like Hugo Chavez!
I hate to lose my respect for one I once considered a knowledgeable colleague, but I can let loose of you without remorse...
My late Father told me to never suffer fools.
So, take care, Jeff. You are a God and prove it each and every day the FR masses get down on their knees to worship your each, every work and pray for your guidance and forgiveness!
I, sir, shall stand on my unbending knees and will not darken your door evermore!
... just as long as the no-hopers, babymommas, slackers, and illegals keep on voting.
I’ll take the M14, you can keep the weapons bearer.
This is not one of those times. I have tried to remain respectful and understanding in the face of some fairly derisive comments rgearding this, which apparently will continue. If in your estimation I have failed to do show respect or good decorum, I apologize.
I am also sorry you feel the way you do. It has not been my intent to mislead, to add chaff, or to otherwise create a wrong impression...and yet I apparently have failed in that, for the which I again am sorry.
But the facts are, as I have indicated from the start, that the SU-30s that Chavez has bought pose a serious threat to the UK task force and that that task force would be in there range and require US help. The Venezuelans have had refueling capability for something like 40 years I believe, and one of the major selling points of the SU30s they bought (among others, including anti-shipping missile capability) is its inflight refueling capability which gives it the range to pose the threat.
I am sorry you feel the way you do about my intent and my character...but your feelings thereof, though something I had not sought or intended, and though something I sincerely regret, can be just as mistaken as you claim I am.
Others will have to judge for themselves.
Anyhow, I'm going to sign off now. Never intended or thought this thread would take the turn and slide it did.
Nite !!
And Cindy Sheehan, and Susie (Medea) Benjamin too, and Jane Fonda..........Mostly Al-Sheehani. I am still hoping to see Hanoi Jane stand trial for her treason, someday before I die.
But wouldn’t a JDAM right through the roof be great as the Hugo and Sheeman are puckered up in another one of those photo op embraces?
Hey Hugo, who in the LIVING HELL made you president of Argentina?
Oh, lemme guess, you speak for every South American, much like Hitler spoke for every White European.
Looking at the map posted earlier I think all Chavez would need is the cooperation of Chile to put his forces in the thick of it.
However Chile would be very foolish to do so as we import tons of fresh vegetables and fruit from them and I'm sure that would end pronto.
BTW, we helped Britain w/ material and transportation during the Falklands war. IIRC C-130 trips to the Ascensions primarily.
I'll second the motion. Chavez is a fool for thinking that we'd stand off and let our traditional ally get unilaterally mauled.
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