Venezuela to get Russian missiles
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has announced that the country will
soon take delivery of Russian missiles with a range of 300km (185
miles).
Returning from a 10-day tour of Africa, Asia and Europe, including
Russia, Mr Chavez is also planning to buy Russian T-72 and T-90.
"Soon some little rockets are going to be arriving... and they don't
fail," he announced at the presidential palace.
But he denied they would be used for offensive purposes."We are not
going to attack anybody, these are just defence tools, because we are
going to defend our country from any threat, wherever it may come from,"
the president said.
Venezuela is involved in a long-running diplomatic stand-off with
neighbouring Colombia, over the latter's plans to allow US troops
greater access to its military bases.
Colombia says the US forces will help in the war against drugs and
left-wing guerrillas and will not destabilise the region.
Mr Chavez, a fierce opponent of US foreign policy, did not say how
many missiles he had ordered.
Russia has been strengthening its ties with several Latin American
countries, including Venezuela.
The two countries held joint naval exercises in Venezuelan waters
last November.
-BBC
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