US concerned over Putin visit to Venezuela

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=122213§ionid=351020704


On the eve of the Russian prime minister's visit to Venezuela, the US has preemptively blasted any prospective arms deals between the two sovereign states.

Vladimir Putin is due to arrive in Caracas on Friday for extensive trade and political talks with left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Russian media earlier reported that among other topics, discussions will focus on a reputed $2.2 billion loan from Moscow to Caracas for the purchase of Russian arms.

Venezuela is said to be interested in purchasing a range of Russian weapons, including 92 T-72 main battle tanks and an unspecified number of Smerch multiple rocket launchers, reported Russia's RIA Novosti news agency.

The prospect of such trade in Venezuela, which the US considers its “backyard”, under the “Monroe Doctrine”, has raised heckles in the US.

Speaking earlier today, Acting Deputy Spokesman for the US Department of State Mark Toner said, "I think we've voiced our concerns … about Venezuela's need for these kinds of defense systems."

"Beyond that, Venezuela, Bolivia, any country, is entitled to pursue its own bilateral relationship with any other country, clearly," he continued.

Since 2005, Venezuela has bought $4 billion worth of Russian defense equipment, including warplanes, Kalashnikov rifles and 36 Mi-17 Hip helicopters. During his visit, Putin will oversee the handover of the final four of these helicopters.

With some 30 percent of the total international arms sales, the US remains by far the biggest exporter of weapons in the world, according to a 2010 report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.\