Posted on 09/12/2007 11:28:25 AM PDT by JZelle
SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his nation plans to launch "the Simon Bolivar satellite" now being built in China as part of plans to develop an integrated ground- and space-based air defense — presumably against the United States.
"We have 100 satellite technicians training in China who be back in the next few months. The radars, tracking stations and air defenses are being installed right now," Mr. Chavez said this week on his television talk show, "Hello President."
With the Chinese ambassador present for the performance, Mr. Chavez made extensive comments on Venezuela's growing ties with China in areas such as oil exports and national defense.
"In less than a year, we will be launching the Simon Bolivar satellite with China," he said.
His statements highlight China's expanding military ties with Latin America at a time of increasing concern about Chinese capabilities to wage electronic warfare.
"The U.S. needs to be alert to rapidly expanding Chinese capabilities particularly in the field of intelligence, communications and cyber-warfare and their particular application in the region," said the U.S. assistant secretary of defense for the Western Hemisphere, Roger Pardo Mauer, in recent congressional testimony.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I’m glad he is spending all this money on subs, jet fighters and space systems — it means he’ll bankrupt his stupid little empire sooner.
Time to enforce the Monroe Doctrine...and revisit how the term “gun boat” diplomacy actually came into existence...but this time with a twist.
LLS
Great... another piece of orbital junk. The enviros won’t be pleased, Hugo!
But them Chinese are another story.
..they already operate the Panama Canal, remember.
{Thank you Peanut-Brain!)
Has a mighty opinion of himself, don’t he?
Yes. More profits and influence for China, while Chavez runs his country into the ground. Meantime, this makes him feel VERY important.
He should have named it the..The Che-tallite.
so now an oil barrel with rabbit ears is a “defense satellite”.. LOL
Headline should be: Venezuelan Clown to Launch Piñata Into Space!
We're paying for it. I wonder what their profit margin on a barrel of oil is these days, $60?
Still, conservation is for loosers.
oh this ought to be fun to watch... who brought the popcorn?
Chavez hasn’t seen the hook yet. This will be a Chinese project financed by oil. If Chavez doesn’t dance the tune they will pull his plug. If he runs out of money, oil or influence, count on an unscheduled reentry.
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