U.S. Calls Venezuela Purchase of Russian Warplanes Waste of Money

With toy soldiers, maybe?

Hyenas in Zoo call bars "a waste of money".

What kind of country would spend more than it strictly needed to for self defense? Isn't it proof of aggressive intent?

Isn't the acquisition of the latest weapons without a patent enemy proof that the nation intends to use them against peaceful neighbors?

and that the US represents a danger to the entire region and it raises concern among it's neighbors.

If that were the case, he wouldn't be making ugly noises like a true fascist, would he, this general?

We sell arms to Pakistan. Russia sells arms to Venezuela. No difference.

The double standard is so glaringly obvious that I get pissed at myself for getting pissed about that double standard. That's just the way power works.

Apparently, the US is still breathing down the throat of Venezuela. There has been new evidence of assassination plans...

Here is the CIA document that proves the US's attempts to kidnap and/or overthrow Chavez.

http://www.venezuelafoia.info/

Maybe I'm remembering that incorrectly, but didn't Chavez say something about his older planes needing something that the US refused?

Also, the F-16 website confirms this.

<clips>

Venezuela's Chavez Accuses U.S. of Delaying Parts for Aging F-16 Fleet

Caracas, Venezuela, Feb 14, 2004 (Venezuelanalysis.com).- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused the government of the United States of delaying the sale of parts for the repair and maintenance of Venezuela’s fleet of F-16 fighters.

"The Unites States is delaying the supply of spare parts, reducing the operating time of our planes. We are going to have to sign accords with other countries to see if we can get those parts or manufacture them here," Chavez said during his weekly live TV show.

Venezuela's leftist leader, who frequently clashes with the U.S. administration because of his criticisms of capitalist neoliberalism, aggressive and "imperialist" U.S. foreign policy, and his cooperation with Cuban President Fidel Castro, said that the U.S. sold the F-16 planes to Venezuela "at a very high price". Venezuela bought a fleet of 24 F-16 from the U.S. in the early 80's. He also said the maintenance price of the fleet is also very high.

Sources close to the government have reported complaints of very high prices from the U.S. for a proposed technological update of the aging fleet. Rumors about a possible purchase of Russian MIG-29s have been denied by several Venezuelan officials, which suggests that Venezuela might be applying pressure to negotiate better prices to update their old F-16 fighters.

Chavez also complained of "unacceptable conditions" imposed by the U.S. in order to make the repairs. "We are not going to bend to pressure," he said. "Why do they have to get into our air bases?," he asked. He did not specify on the details of the alleged "pressures".

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1505


Venezuela's Chavez welcomed Brazilian President DaSilva who arrived in Venezuela for an official visit at which several agreements will be discussed, including the purchase of airplanes from Brazil's Embraer.
Credit: ABN

protect themselves from the criminal bushgang who, at the moment, are in charge of the US military.

To protect itself from being plundered by the U.S. Imperial Fascists.

http://www.wisconsinproject.org/pubs/articles/2004/BrazilsNuclearPuzzle.htm