Chavez to continue buying arms from Belarus

In the near future Venezuela to continue buying arms in Russia, China and Belarus, stated the Strategic Operations Command Chief General Jesus Gonsales, Venezuela.

“In the bear future we will continue buying arms in Russia, China and Belarus to have enough force to defend our territory and oil reserves from such countries as the US,” Jesus Gonsales said.

According to the Venezuelan general, the US wants to make this South American county weak military, imposing ban on deliveries of military equipment and weapons. “That is why we have asked for help from such countries as Russia and China. Russia is our friend, who has extended a hand of friendship to us in time of need,” J. Gonsales said.

He believes that the current program of reweaponing planned till 2012, which aim is for the army to have the latest weapons systems.

“We want to be strong, so that everyone who would dare to attack our country think ten times before making it,” J. Gonsales said. “During the forthcoming visit of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to Venezuela in the end of November this year conditions of deliveries of BMP-3 and tanks T-72 could be concretized.

According to RIA Novosti, Russia has already delivered to Venezuela 100 assault rifles AK-103. Besides, the two plants for licensed assembly of Russian assault rifles are under construction. The contract on deliveries of 24 multi-role fighters Su-30MK2 and about 50 helicopters is successfully fulfilled: 34 Mi-17B-5, 10 Mi-35M and 3 Mi-26T.

As we have informed, during Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s visit to Venezuela in December 2007 tow agreements in military and technical sphere were signed: on cooperation in creation a Single air defense system and radioelectronic warfare support of in this country, and on stays of Belarusian military advisers and experts in Venezuela with the aim of creation of the abovementioned systems.

Earlier the influential Spanish newspaper El Pais and TV Channel Euronews with a reference to experts in Interpol disseminated reports that Belarusian weapons were sold to Colombian military group FARC which is considered a terrorist organisation by the world community.

According to El Pais, the former state secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Viktar Sheiman “was one of those who promoted contracts for weapons deliveries to Venezuela at a sum of 720 thousand Euro, which were signed last year”.