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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Chávez in Russia for Military Spending Spree

Venezuela recognizes breakaway republics ahead of arms deal talks

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(Newser) – Hugo Chávez arrived in Moscow today, where the Venezuelan president is reportedly ready for an arms "shopping spree." Chávez is ready to buy at least 100 tanks for $500 million, reports the Times of London, and a Kremlin aide said Venezuela may get loans for helicopters, submarines, and other military hardware. Chávez began his charm offensive today by recognizing as sovereign states South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the two pro-Russian republics at the heart of last year's war with Georgia.

Since 2005 Venezuela has signed $4.4 billion in arms contracts with Russia. Last year Moscow gave a $1 billion loan to buy military equipment to the Latin American nation, which the Russians call a "counterweight to US influence." Chávez is holding talks today with Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin in the latest phase of his European tour; earlier he made a surprise visit to the Venice Film Festival.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and director Oliver Stone attends the 'South Of The Border' premiere at the Sala Grande during the 66th Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2009 in Venice, Italy.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and director Oliver Stone attends the 'South Of The Border' premiere at the Sala Grande during the 66th Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2009 in Venice, Italy.   (Getty Images)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, center, is seen during an official welcome ceremony after his arrival at Minsk airport, Belarus, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, center, is seen during an official welcome ceremony after his arrival at Minsk airport, Belarus, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009.   (AP Photo/Vasily Fedosenko, Pool)
Hugo Chavez takes pictures with a photographer's camera as he arrives at the 66th edition of the Venice Film Festival Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.
Hugo Chavez takes pictures with a photographer's camera as he arrives at the 66th edition of the Venice Film Festival Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
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Revenge_of_Mint
Sep 10, 09 6:11 AM CDT
The cold war ended........ Right..................... Reply
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Jayster999
Sep 10, 09 8:47 AM CDT
The Russian bear has been hibernating a long time but the goons running the joint have been old guard soviets and KGB all along. The cold war is likely to heat up again as they show their true (red) colors. As for Chavez, he has been using oil money to destabilize South and Central America. Now, he will use force against those who resist his march toward Latin American Marxism. Instead of bebopping around the Middle East, we should be keeping the illegals out and gearing up for war against communism in our hemisphere. Reply
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BoZo
Sep 10, 09 10:20 AM CDT
The border would be so much easier to protect if we just took over all the countries down to the panama canal. We'd truly be the United States then.
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