U.S. Continues to Block Venezuelan Defense Development

[callady]

U.S. Continues to Block Venezuelan Defense Development

Monday, Oct 24, 2005

Caracas, October 24, 2005–The United States stopped Israel from repairing Venezuela's group of F16 fighter planes as it sees the Government of Hugo Chavez as a "destabilizing force" in Latin America. It is also blocking the sale of ten transport aircraft by the Spanish Government to Venezuela.

Channel 1, an Israeli TV station, reported on October 19 that the US government forced the Israeli Ministry of Defense to cancel the repair of Venezuela's F16s. These US-made aircraft are now barely functioning because of lack of replacement parts. The Israeli arms industry has been eager not to upset its largest backer after a recent high-profile disagreement over arms sales to China.

Speaking about the Venezuelan deal, the U.S. defense ministry said on October 21, "Israel asked for Washington's green light over the contract," to which Washington said no. The arms sale to China that upset the Americans so much had been for a sophisticated early-warning aircraft system called Phalcon. The repair of the relatively old Venezuelan F16 fighters is quite simple by comparison.

The U.S. government has also confirmed that it will veto the sale of ten C-295 Spanish transport planes to Venezuela. This sale was agreed as part of a naval technology deal at the recent Ibero-American conference in Salamanca. According to a U.S. State Department official, the unarmed planes use radar and other electronic equipment that comes from U.S. technology. This allows the U.S. government to block the sale of the planes. The Venezuelan government has said the planes will be used to support its coastguard.

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1794

[BattyDem]

1. What right to we have ...

to prevent another country from taking measures to defend itself? :shrug: :grr:

[TheFarseer]

2. I can see stopping countries from having nukes

but stopping countries from having an air force? Pissing and moaning about rifles? It's completely unfair and also just plain silly.

[BattyDem]

7. Exactly!

We're not talking about WMDs ... we're talking about basic self-defense! :grr:

[wakeme2008]

3. I understand the French and Russians have a couple planes to sell

to replaced the old F-16. :)

[Igel]

4. Isn't "defense development" the same as "arms buildup"? n/t

[madeline_con]

6. If you're a Repug discussing Venezuela, yes.

:)

[madeline_con]

5. "The United States stopped Israel from ..."

Stop the presses! A first in the history of the world!!

[ShockediSay]

8. Hugo Chavez as a "destabilizing force"

George W Bush, a "destabilizing force" in the world, not to mention the good old US of A.

Take a guess at how much weaker the US is vis a vis China since * took office.

[Gyre]

9. Well that isn't going to make Lockheed happy there chimpy!

I guess they'll have to buy those 50 Mig 29s from Russia after all. Ho hum.

Gyre

[IndianaGreen]

10. French technology is tops, and China is not far behind

The Russians are in need of hard cash. I mean, there is no shortage of sources for weapons systems. The stupid US policy towards Chavez reminds me of similar measures taken shortly after the triumph of the Cuban revolution when the US vetoed the sale of British fighters to Cuba. Cuba went ahead and got her fighters from the USSR.

[Rainscents]

11. Well, Venezuela just have to go to Russia or China!

They'll love to help!!!