May 21, 2006 9:41 pm US/Central
Chavez Says Venezuela May Sell U.S. F-16s To Iran
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ―
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President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez (File).
AP
President Hugo Chavez said that Venezuela is looking to buy Russian warplanes, and will offer its fleet of U.S.-made jets to any country it chooses, including Iran.
The jet issue resurfaced last week after a Venezuelan general indicated that the F-16s could go to the Mideast nation, currently at odds with the U.S. over its nuclear program. The United States says Venezuela is legally bound by a contract to seek U.S. permission to sell the fighters.
On Sunday, Chavez said that he is considering buying an unspecified number of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 and Su-35 jet fighters, calling them "very superior to the F-16s." He said he hoped to finalize a deal during an upcoming trip to Moscow.
Chavez mentioned the possibility of selling the F-16s in a speech late Saturday in rural eastern Venezuela, backing a suggestion by Gen. Alberto Muller that Iran could be a possible buyer.
Muller, a Chavez adviser, complained that Washington had refused to sell parts to upgrade the fighter jets.
"Now they say in the United States that we can't sell those planes," Chavez said. "We will sell those planes to whomever we want."
"So Muller said, 'Let's sell them to Iran.' That could be," Chavez said.
Iranian Embassy officials have said there are no formal plans to buy Venezuela's planes for now, and Defense Minister Orlando Maniglia played down the idea last week.
U.S. officials have suggested the idea of selling planes to Iran doesn't appear practical, and State Department spokesman Sean McCormack last week called it "overheated rhetoric" while reiterating that Venezuela would have to seek U.S. approval for any sale.
Venezuela's military also is turning to Russia to buy helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles. Chavez said the first shipment of rifles is on its way and all of the guns will arrive by the end of the year.
Chavez, meanwhile, accused the U.S. of preparing to attack Iran.
"We are with you, against the imperialist menace," Chavez told an Iranian diplomat during his program Sunday, saying Iran has a right to peaceful nuclear energy despite U.S. concerns about its nuclear program.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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