[news] Russia Dismisses US "Concerns" about Weapons Sales to Venezuela

[Resist!ca]

"Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russian weapons sales to Venezuela 'do not go beyond any international norms and obligations.' Lavrov said this in response to U.S. 'concerns' that State Department spokesperson Adam Ereli reiterated yesterday about Venezuela's purchase of 100,000 Russian AK-47 assault rifles and several helicopters. An article published by the Washington Times reported yesterday that the Bush administration had sent a secret letter of complaint to the Russian Embassy in Washington, about the arms deal. According to the U.S. State Department, the Bush administration fears that the assault rifles could fall into the hands of Colombian rebel forces, since they believe that the Chavez government enjoys close ties to these."

URL: http://resist.ca/story/2005/2/14/7028/36424