Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise

[1prophet]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26587236/">Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise
Joint maneuvers in Caribbean likely to increase tensions with Washington</a>

Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise
Joint maneuvers in Caribbean likely to increase tensions with Washington
Reuters
updated 6:20 a.m. ET, Sun., Sept. 7, 2008
CARACAS - Several Russian ships and 1,000 soldiers will take part in joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea later this year, exercises likely to increase diplomatic tensions with Washington, a pro-government newspaper reported on Saturday.

Quoting Venezuela's naval intelligence director, Salbarore Cammarata, the newspaper Vea said four Russian boats would visit Venezuelan waters from November 10 to 14.

Plans for the naval operations come at a time of heightened diplomatic tension and Cold War-style rhetoric between Moscow and the United States over the recent war in Georgia and plans for a U.S. missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Cammarata said it would be the first time Russia's navy carried out such exercises in Latin America. He said the Venezuelan air force would also take part.

Chavez: Russian planes welcome
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an outspoken critic of Washington, has said in recent weeks that Russian ships and planes are welcome to visit the South American country.

"If the Russian long-distance planes that fly around the world need to land at some Venezuelan landing strip, they are welcome, we have no problems," he said on his weekly television show last week.

Chavez, who buys billions of dollars of weapons from Russia, has criticized this year's reactivation of the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet, which will patrol Latin America for the first time in over 50 years.

The socialist Chavez says he fears the United States will invade oil-rich Venezuela and he supports Russia's growing geopolitical presence as a counterbalance to U.S. power.


Chavez has bought fighter jets and submarines from Russia to retool Venezuela's aging weapons and says he is also interested in a< missile defense system.

I see a new Cuban missile crisis on the horizon and the Russians using this as leverage against the US missile defense system in Czech Republic and Poland.

 

[PottedMeat]

Chavez: "Shit I haven't been in the news for a while, that unlimited term presidency thing didn't work, what will get me on US TV?"

 

[Perknose]

He's a demagogue faux-populist who has chosen to spend Venezuela's oil money bonanza on an international political path the coffers of his small country cannot long support.

Meanwhile, domestic problems he could have addressed with these funds are piling up.

I firmly believe his chickens will eventually come home to roost.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: 1prophet
I see a new Cuban missile crisis on the horizon and the Russians using this as leverage against the US missile defense system in Czech Republic and Poland.

Personally I think the various U.S. military analysts and other people in Washington will instead roll their eyes in the direction of Venezuela, issue the expected huffy press release and otherwise forget all about this. There's no real danger here.

 

[StageLeft]

This new thing about the oil-consuming nations against the oil-producing is just so exciting. I see nothing but goodness from it. If we can get Russia to team up with Venezuela and the rest of OPEC and others while they're at it, we'll be in for a lovely-great time down the road!

I firmly believe his chickens will eventually come home to roost.

Like Castro's? I don't know that his chickens will come home. Perhaps venezuela's will, but there's plenty of money and power in the poorest, most destitute nations for the guys at the top. He isn't there yet, though, he's still having a little difficulty clinching all he needs to totally reign supreme, but it's getting there.

 

[CycloWizard]

Who cares? Chavez is an idiot running a nation that has no clout on the international scene. He's just an attention whore. Why give him that attention?

 

[Genx87]

I dont think anybody would care if they installed a missile defense system in VZ. Judging by the quality of most Russia systems tested around the world. Even if we did care, we wouldnt.

The only time they seem ready to go is after the bombs have dropped.

 

[Lemon law]

Sadly, the Russians are awash in oil money and can afford a resumption of the cold war and the US can't. If both the Russians and the US are rational, neither will resume the cold war. And as GWB&co. descends
into total lame duckery, I hope he is the last US President that tries to use cowboy diplomacy because that is an endangered species best allowed to slide into total extinction.

Yes folks its scary, we are closer to the election than we are to the in between loner period where we will have an apparent President elect but GWB will still be in office.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I firmly believe his chickens will eventually come home to roost.

Like Castro's? I don't know that his chickens will come home.

Chavez is no Castro, and Venezuela is not Cuba. I stand behind my prediction.

 

[novasatori]

Let him have a missile defense, it will waste Russian time, and Venezuelan money.

Does anyone really care? Similar to our proposed defense it would do nothing to defend against a nuclear super power like the United States or Russia

 

[daniel49]

I support sending missles to venezuela also. Aimed right at his bathroom.

odds are he is in front of his mirror admiring himself even as we speak.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Who cares? Chavez is an idiot running a nation that has no clout on the international scene. He's just an attention whore. Why give him that attention?

And someone might want to tell him that the USSR doesn't exist anymore.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Sadly, the Russians are awash in oil money and can afford a resumption of the cold war and the US can't.

are you deranged?

 

[AeroEngy]

ROFL A missile defense system in Venezuela would not make any sense strategically.

First, Why would we use ballistic missiles against Venezuela? If we wanted to invade/take out Venezuela it would be fleets of bombers and a land invasion not ballistic missiles.

Second, if they think they would host them for Russia then Chavez should get a map and check the path our missiles would fly to Russia. Siberia would make a whole lot more since than Venezuela for a missile shield.

Third, they better check the price tag of a Missile defense system. I don't think they could afford the required radar stations not to mention the actual interceptors or satellites.

Maybe they could buy the Russian equivalent of a Patriot system for short range missiles but even then it would be a huge waste of money.

 

[db]

Not surprising since the US is trying to install a missile defense system around Russia.
This is the old '50's attitude still alive behind the scenes in Washington, doing what they
always do. Nice way to re-start the cold war. YOU will go in place of the "Deciders" to fight
and die or put your life on the line.

Nothing has changed throughout history: countries go to war about resources; the deciders win
and you pay.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Perknose
He's a demagogue faux-populist who has chosen to spend Venezuela's oil money bonanza on an international political path the coffers of his small country cannot long support.

Meanwhile, domestic problems he could have addressed with these funds are piling up.

I firmly believe his chickens will eventually come home to roost.

Things were sure better for the vast majority of Venezuelans on the lower end economically before Chavez, eh?

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: daniel49
I support sending missles to venezuela also. Aimed right at his bathroom.

odds are he is in front of his mirror admiring himself even as we speak.

That's becase you (and one other poster in particular) have a predeliction for psychopathic and murderous policies, lacking any human decency.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Sadly, the Russians are awash in oil money and can afford a resumption of the cold war and the US can't.

are you deranged?

I agree mostly with Mike here that the US military budget belies any claim the US can't afford a military spending race with anyone - now.

But there is a nugget in the comment from Lemon, that with the US facing such economic problems coming up, that any new races pose some level of challenge.

We're already borrowing nearly a half trillion a year, and can't afford what we're spending.

 

[manowar821]

Sounds like we may just yet get a bullshit excuse to attack Venezuela! Keep up your hopes, neocons!

 

[senseamp]

If Venezuela pays for the missile defense, I don't see why Russia shouldn't sell them a few S-300 installations. Easy money for Russia's weapons exporters, plus gets a bit of a retaliation for the missiles in Poland, plus gets Venezuela, (and ultimately US oil consumer) to pay for it. Win win proposition, as long as Hugo picks up the tab.
And if US strikes Venezuela in response, no skin off Russia's back, the instability this will cause in the oil markets will make Russia even more money.

 

[daniel49]

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: daniel49
I support sending missles to venezuela also. Aimed right at his bathroom.

odds are he is in front of his mirror admiring himself even as we speak.

That's becase you (and one other poster in particular) have a predeliction for psychopathic and murderous policies, lacking any human decency.

And your such a partisan shill, you don't even recognize a joke...but heh we need a few shills in the world.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: Perknose
He's a demagogue faux-populist who has chosen to spend Venezuela's oil money bonanza on an international political path the coffers of his small country cannot long support.

Meanwhile, domestic problems he could have addressed with these funds are piling up.

I firmly believe his chickens will eventually come home to roost.

Things were sure better for the vast majority of Venezuelans on the lower end economically before Chavez, eh?

Nope. But they are not much better off now. Economically, his spending on the military, his saber rattling, his covert support for the FARC in Columbia, and his profile international largesse are not sustainable, and his systematic push to aggregate power to himself and dismantle his democratic opposition is not also not sustainable nor beneficial to his country.

He is spending his country's oil profits like a drunken sailor to curry support abroad and at home, without re-investing a prudent amount in its infrastructure. Again, unsustainable long-term.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Perknose
He's a demagogue faux-populist who has chosen to spend Venezuela's oil money bonanza on an international political path the coffers of his small country cannot long support.

Meanwhile, domestic problems he could have addressed with these funds are piling up.

I firmly believe his chickens will eventually come home to roost.

I agree with this i'm sure most do. It's just posturing to garner more "support" at home.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: senseamp
If Venezuela pays for the missile defense, I don't see why Russia shouldn't sell them a few S-300 installations. Easy money for Russia's weapons exporters, plus gets a bit of a retaliation for the missiles in Poland, plus gets Venezuela, (and ultimately US oil consumer) to pay for it. Win win proposition, as long as Hugo picks up the tab.
And if US strikes Venezuela in response, no skin off Russia's back, the instability this will cause in the oil markets will make Russia even more money.

If anyone is wondering why Russia would bother with such a silly thing, the bolded part is the key.

 

[Atreus21]

Originally posted by: 1prophet
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26587236/">Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise
Joint maneuvers in Caribbean likely to increase tensions with Washington</a>

Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise
Joint maneuvers in Caribbean likely to increase tensions with Washington
Reuters
updated 6:20 a.m. ET, Sun., Sept. 7, 2008
CARACAS - Several Russian ships and 1,000 soldiers will take part in joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea later this year, exercises likely to increase diplomatic tensions with Washington, a pro-government newspaper reported on Saturday.

Quoting Venezuela's naval intelligence director, Salbarore Cammarata, the newspaper Vea said four Russian boats would visit Venezuelan waters from November 10 to 14.

Plans for the naval operations come at a time of heightened diplomatic tension and Cold War-style rhetoric between Moscow and the United States over the recent war in Georgia and plans for a U.S. missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Cammarata said it would be the first time Russia's navy carried out such exercises in Latin America. He said the Venezuelan air force would also take part.

Chavez: Russian planes welcome
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an outspoken critic of Washington, has said in recent weeks that Russian ships and planes are welcome to visit the South American country.

"If the Russian long-distance planes that fly around the world need to land at some Venezuelan landing strip, they are welcome, we have no problems," he said on his weekly television show last week.

Chavez, who buys billions of dollars of weapons from Russia, has criticized this year's reactivation of the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet, which will patrol Latin America for the first time in over 50 years.

The socialist Chavez says he fears the United States will invade oil-rich Venezuela and he supports Russia's growing geopolitical presence as a counterbalance to U.S. power.


Chavez has bought fighter jets and submarines from Russia to retool Venezuela's aging weapons and says he is also interested in a<< missile defense system.

I see a new Cuban missile crisis on the horizon and the Russians using this as leverage against the US missile defense system in Czech Republic and Poland.

The Venezuelan Air Force?

I didn't know Sopwith Camels still saw service.