Thursday, June 14, 2007

This Won't Go Down Well With Washington


Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has shoved a thorn in George Bush's side with the announcement that Venezuela will purchase five and up to nine submaries from Russia. A Russian news agency reports Chavez will be in Moscow next week to sign a deal for five Project 636 diesel subs with an option to buy four Project 637 Amur subs at a later date.

Chavez has indicated he wants the subs to thwart any attempted US embargo of Venezuela and to protect the country's oil rich offshore shelf. Last year Venezuela puchased two dozen SU-30 fighters, a number of helicopters and 100,000 AK-47 assault rifles. The country is the second largest customer for Russian arms.
The 636 is an updated version of the Russian Kilo submarine.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know, I kinda like Hugo (can I call him, Huey?). I understand much of the free world outside the US also think he's a swell guy. Mostly for the way he tells George to kiss you know what.
On the other hand, George and his friends have a long history of assassinating folks they don't like. State sponsored murder and all which republicans in particular have perfected.
Huey had best watch his back...that's the spot most favored by the likes of George.

Anonymous said...

American governments have always thrown their weight around in South America. Now there is someone who isn't afraid of them and his name is Chavez. Hugo will definitely need to protect himself if he is to continue with his open policy.