Russia could build Kalashnikov plant in Venezuela: state arms exporter

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.kyivpost.com/bn/24531/

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia is in talks with Venezuela to license the manufacture of Kalashnikov assault rifles in the South American nation, Russia's state arms exporter said Wednesday.

Moscow last year signed a contract to supply Venezuela with 100,000 Kalashnikovs, a deal that came under strong U.S. criticism.

Alexander Badistan, a spokesman for the Russian manufacturer of the assault rifle, said the first shipment of 30,000 rifles should arrive in June, and said the sale contract also contained a clause on licensing production of the AK-103 in Venezuela.

Arms exporter Rosoboronexport confirmed talks were ongoing, but declined to give any further details on when the plant could be constructed or what would be its production capacity.

[SteppingRazor]

1. Yay! More guns 'n' death!

:eyes:

[Squatch]

2. Correction...more *cheap* guns -n- death.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. Russia in arms talks with Chavez

31 May 2006

Russia is holding talks with Venezuela to license the manufacture of Kalashnikov rifles there, Russia's state arms exporter has confirmed.

On Tuesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Russia planned to build two munitions plants in the country.

Moscow has already signed a deal to supply Venezuela with 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

The move is likely to worry the US, which regards Mr Chavez as a destabilising influence in the region.

In May, the US State Department banned arms sales to Venezuela because of concern over its contacts with Iran and Cuba and what it called Venezuela's lack of support for counter-terrorism efforts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5033768.stm

Thank BushCo for putting us in this situation.

[dave502d]

4. Is that all they know how to make. n/t