BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
26/03/2008
Belarus to set up air defence for Venezuela
MINSK (AFP): Belarus will build an air defence system for Venezuela over the next six years, the deputy cheif of the Belarussian general staff said Tuesday, according to the Interfax news agency.
"It is expected that over the next six years we will be able to supply Venezuela with an air defence system, complete with training experts and preparation of administrative staff," General Pyotr Tikhonovsky said.
"This will help us pursue our other interests in Venezuela too," the military official added.
Venezuela currently has no integrated air defence network, only separate anti-aircraft units and aircraft, he said.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, a fierce foe of US President George W. Bush, has made a priority of modernising and expanding his oil-rich country's armed forces.
He has already bought significant numbers of aircraft and small arms from Russia, and has pledged solidarity with Belarus.
Western powers criticise the regime of Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko for imprisoning opposition leaders, preventing criticism in the state-controlled media and imposing severe restrictions on rallies.
The United States, which has dubbed Belarus "Europe's last dictatorship" recently imposed economic sanctions in protest at the country's human rights record.
Source:
http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-6821--12-12--.html
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