Posted on 06/03/2004 11:34:46 AM PDT by knighthawk
MEXICO CITY - President Vicente Fox says his country hopes to expand military cooperation with Russia, assembling some Russian helicopters in Mexico and importing a mixed civilian-military factory.
Speaking in the north-central state of Hidalgo on Wednesday, Fox said the arms issue would be "a principal topic" in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrives Monday.
Fox said possible projects include "the installation of a large maintenance center for helicopters" as the first step in a plan to assemble helicopters in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.
The Mexican president said he also hoped to sign an agreement with Putin for a plant that would assemble heavy machinery "for the military industry, heavy machinery for the construction industry, heavy and transport machinery for various uses that occur in a dynamic economy."
Fox said that factory was intended for Ciudad Sahagun, about 50 miles northeast of Mexico City.
The president mentioned the arms plans during a speech dedicated to regional economic development. He did not elaborate on the projects.
Mexico largely avoided Russian equipment during the Cold War.
But since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has begun to incorporate some Russian equipment — notably transport helicopters — which is less expensive than that from the United States.
Ping
Perhaps the Russkies will do us all a favor and make Mexico an above-ground nuclear weapons testing site.
The only reason the French left in the 1860's was W.T. "War is Hell" Sherman camped out on the Mexican Border with 50,000 veteran troops.
[Giving rise to Sherman's second most famous quote: if I owned Texas and Hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in Hell!]
Another Cuber in formation to our South! The only difference is that billions of dollars are being transferred to Mexico.
The communists just keep getting closer. With the ChiComs able to reach California and with their base of operations in the Canal Zone, and Cuber hanging on just 90 miles off our coast, and Canada...our good buddy to the North, I would say we have been encircled.
If anyone believes for a moment that the old USSR is dead and that communism is suffering its last gasps, just look around.
I think it's the Washington gaggle that need an in-depth explanation!
Yes, but in the meantime Russia is surrounded by NATO countries including virtually all the old Eastern Bloc nations.
I'll take Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Muldova, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania as friends over the puny commie wannabes in Mexico, Canada or Cuber ANY day!
Having recently returned from an extended visit to Eastern Europe, I'll have to agree with you. However, our enemies are at our borders; indeed, they're at the gates and pouring over the top!
Red Dawn II?
And the Mexican military can get needed training in polar conditions..
Philip Sheridan
I think you quote is correctly attributed. I was referring to the fact that it was Major General Phil Sheridan who commanded the 50,000 federal troops sent to the Texas/Mexico border in 1866. Sheridan commanded the 5th Military District (Texas & Louisiana) until 1868, so it was he that was in charge of pressuring the French to leave Mexico.
The other difference being 10% of their citizenry - most young thru middle aged men - currently live anonymously among us.
Can anyone say BLACKMAIL?
Hmmmmm..........
Wonder if the Russians would be interested in large numbers of "undocumented residents" ??
not to mention a lot of them holding political office; even as committee members on the Senate ARMS committee!!!
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