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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Mister Chavez Goes To Iran |
| 2006-05-15 |
| May 15, 2006: The Venezuelan government is negotiating a weapons procurement contract with Iran that will run for five years and involve about $100 million in purchases a year. Given Venezuela's already extensive weapons procurement agreements with Russia, Spain, and other countries, it seems unlikely that either the country's armed forces nor the "Bolivarian Militia" will be able to absorb the enormous amount of equipment effectively, particularly given the lack of standardization. President Hugo Chavez seems more intent on making allies with as many nations, that don't get along with the United States, as possible. This kind of diplomatic theater is expensive, as Chavez likes to use his oil money to get attention and buy friends. But for many impoverished Venezuelans, who form the base of Chavez's support, these spendthrift theatrics are increasingly unpopular. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #8 Moreover, watch the price of oil go up after this announcement. |
| Posted by: TMH 2006-05-15 14:29 |
| #7 That is exactly it!, Laurance of the Rats. I am so dissapointed at the US's move to ban arm sales to the idiot. It is just playing into his hands. |
| Posted by: TMH 2006-05-15 14:29 |
| #6 How does the man plan to pay for all this? I think he's expecting war to push up the price so much that even the wretched production Venezuela can still manage will be profitable. If not the US at war with Iran, then maybe he'll just irritate his neighbors so much they'll come after him and drive the price up that way. |
| Posted by: Laurence of the Rats 2006-05-15 14:24 |
| #5 Simple. Blow the f*cking ships out of the water. Nah, a couple of below-the-waterline leaks, so the ships (with cargo) must be abandoned. Separately, I see that Mr. Chavez wants to give cut-rate oil to Europe's poor, as he offered to America's last winter. And, of course, Venezuela's production is down by 25%, I do believe, since he fired all the competent production managers and replaced them with a fine selection of his bestest cronies. How does the man plan to pay for all this? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-05-15 13:07 |
| #4 will Iran require cash given Chavez's nuttiness? could be the end of the friendship |
| Posted by: mhw 2006-05-15 12:41 |
| #3 Simple. Blow the f*cking ships out of the water. |
| Posted by: mcsegeek1 2006-05-15 11:33 |
| #2 But for many impoverished Venezuelans, who form the base of Chavez's support, these spendthrift theatrics are increasingly unpopular. By the time a significant majority realizes they've been used and screwed they're, well, screwed. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2006-05-15 11:17 |
| #1 Seem like his plane would make a great test target for the airborne laser. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-05-15 10:04 |