07/ 08/ 2006 RIA Novosti Agence russe
U.S. sanctions related to Russia arms deals with Venezuela
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060805/52295389.html
MOSCOW, August 5 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Defense Ministry said
Saturday
U.S. sanctions against two Russian state-owned companies were linked
with their contracts with Venezuela.
The U.S. State Department announced Friday the introduction of
sanctions
against Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and state-owned
aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi over their cooperation with Iran.
A high-ranking official in the Defense Ministry said, "Obviously, this
decision is a reaction to recent successes of our companies in
concluding beneficial contracts on arms supplies to Venezuela."
Russia signed $1-billion contracts on supplies of 30 Su-30 Flanker
air-superiority fighters and 30 helicopters to Venezuela in July prior
to the visit to Russia by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has
moved to curb American influence in the region and consolidate ties
with
other South American nations since he came to power in 1998.
The Russian Foreign Ministry slammed the U.S. sanctions Friday saying,
"Our companies stand accused of violating the Iran Nonproliferation Act
of 2000. We consider these actions by the U.S. State Department
unacceptable."
"Russian companies cooperating with other countries in the
military-technical sphere are acting in strict compliance with the
rules
of international law, as well as Russian law, including Russia's
obligations on nuclear nonproliferation and export control," the
ministry said.
The source in the Defense Ministry also said the U.S. accusations that
the Russian companies were supplying technologies, which Iran could use
to produce weapons of mass destruction, were groundless.
"They [the companies] have violated no international obligations and
the
U.S. is well aware of this," he said.
The source called the U.S. sanctions "dishonest competition on the arms
market."
Some countries, led by the United States, suspect Tehran of pursuing a
secret weapons program. Iran has consistently stated that it only wants
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Thanks for the ping and for the Freepmails.
A few of my favorite live blogs regarding the Israeli war against terrorists:
http://www.redmeatconservative.blogspot.com/
http://yonitheblogger.com/
http://www.israellycool.com/
A few blogs from Lebanon:
http://lebanonupdates.blogspot.com/
http://lebop.blogspot.com/
Just another bit to add to everyone's information overload!!