Venezuela Signs $120 Mln Contract for Russian Helicopters

[Say_What]

<clips>

Venezuela Signs $120 Mln Contract for Russian Helicopters

March 10 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuela, seeking to build up security on the Colombia border, signed a $120 million contract for 10 Russian helicopters, with deliveries slated to begin later this year.

Defense Minister General Jorge Garcia said during a televised signing ceremony that the helicopters will be used to police the border with the neighboring country.

``These are high-performance machines, which meet our needs,'' Garcia said. Venezuela's air force already has U.S., French and Austrian helicopters, he said.

Russian arms sales to Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter, has been criticized by the U.S., which has claimed the armament could be funneled to guerrillas in neighboring Colombia.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=ay.jHSi6Xlqs&refer=latin_america

[Dhalgren]

1. Hey bush and US - keep your noses out of

Venezuela's business! Oh, and yeah, shut the fuck up!

[cliss]

2. OMG, Chavez is on a roll

After this week, I thought Chavez was done signing contracts for a while. After all, he managed to turn Washington on its head by all the blatant things he's been doing lately.......all the while giving Bush the finger.

Chavez is truly unstoppable.

[katsy]

3. Why isn't news from...

Venezuela ever on MSM? They repeat ad naseum the same nonsense over and over again.