Spain, Venezuela override US military sales block

[cal04]

The Spanish Government has confirmed it will go ahead with the sale of military hardware worth more than $2 billion to Venezuela, despite US attempts to block the deal. The US refused Spain permission to export 12 aircraft and eight naval patrol boats to Venezuela because they contained some American-built equipment.

But Spain now says it will use alternative European technology. The US ambassador to Madrid, Eduardo Aguirre, says the Venezuelan Government's actions have contributed to regional instability and the proposed sale could complicate matters.

But Spain's Deputy Prime Minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, says the planes have no offensive capability.
He says Madrid has fulfilled European Union and NATO regulations. Relations with Washington have been strained since Spain's socialist Government withdrew its troops from the US-led force in Iraq shortly after winning elections in March 2004.

Venezuela says the planes are needed to combat drug smuggling but US officials fear the equipment could be used to arm Colombian rebels.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1547519.htm

[Sinistrous]

1. Oh goody! The geniuses of the bush cabal have found yet another way

to export American jobs.

Sinistrous

[annabanana]

2. huh......

"Venezuela says the planes are needed to combat drug smuggling but US officials fear the equipment could be used to arm Colombian rebels."

actually
Venezuela says the planes are needed to combat drug smuggling, but US officials fear the equipment could be used to interfere with drug smuggling. (IMHO)

[pinerow]

3. Good for them...The U.S. is winning friends all over

the world.

[merwin]

4. Yeah, we're definately a world power...

[cliss]

5. My thoughts, exactly.

As I read this article, I was thinking to myself, "PNAC, are you reading this?" You stupid fools.

They thought it was going to be so easy to become RULER OF THE WORLD. Rule through tyranny. Easymente! When I read the PNAC documenets, they made it seem easy. A piece of cake.

And look at them now!!!! They haven't even gotten to bus stop #1 (Iraq) and they've failed. Miserably.

Stupid clowns Wolfowitz, Jeb, Rummie, Perle, and all the others.

[ngGale]

6. So, Hugo is going to cut....

out our drug running, huh? Oh yeah...cuts out our arms dealing, too.:evilgrin:

[Straight Shooter]

7. Spain needs to do what is in their best interest to do.

That goes double for Venezuela.

A poke in the nose to you, bush, you big bully.

[d_b]

8. Booey fuckin hooey.

"But US officials fear the equipment could be used to arm Colombian rebels."

[HuffleClaw]

9. how is it the US claims it has ANY say over what two sovereign nations

do? really, this crap is getting waaay out of hand.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Curious U.S. travel warning for Americans in Venezuela:

Friday, January 13, 2006 :: infoZine Staff :: page views
Venezuela Travel Alert Announcement

This Public Announcement is being issued to inform U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Venezuela of the serious impact on travelers of the indefinite closure of the first bridge on the Caracas-La Guaira highway. The highway is the principal link between Caracas and Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS), as well as between Caracas and the country's principal seaport, La Guaira. The Venezuelan Ministry of Infrastructure determined the bridge was unsafe as a result of recent rainfall and soil shifting and closed the bridge to all traffic. This Public Announcement expires on June 5, 2006.

Washington, D.C. - infoZine - Due to concerns regarding the safety and security of the alternative routes, including narrow, unlit mountain roads passing through isolated areas or crime-prone neighborhoods (as noted in the Consular Information Sheet), the Embassy has determined that Embassy employees and their dependents must restrict their time on the roads to daylight hours in official vehicles. Excessive delays are expected between Caracas and the Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport.

It is possible that some flights will be rerouted and/or rescheduled. The most likely destination for rerouted flights is Arturo Michelalena International Airport in Valencia, approximately 75 miles west of Caracas. Travelers to Caracas are therefore advised to contact their airline or flight operator for an updated schedule of flights and airports and allow considerable extra time for travel to the airport.

Travelers in overnight transit via Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport are advised to remain in hotels located near the airport and avoid traveling to Caracas if possible.
(snip/...)

http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/12369/

Strange, huh?

[PsychoDad]

11. Combatting Drugs, supplying low cost oil to the poor...

Funding social programs with his country's natural reserves instead of making fat cat corp buddies rich....

What a total bastard this man is!

:sarcasm:

[saigon68]

12. Yes, he is very dangerous to the Corporate Thugs who run amerika a/k/a usa