Spain honors military deal with Venezuela despite US opposition

[Judi Lynn]

UPDATED: 12:29, March 03, 2006
Spain honors military deal with Venezuela despite US opposition

Despite U.S. opposition, Spain said on Thursday that it would do its best to honor its deal with Venezuela, under which Spain is to sell 12 aircraft and patrol boats to the Latin American country.

The United States has tried to block Spain from selling the aircraft which contain U.S. technology to Venezuela, saying the sale would change the strategic balance in the region.

It is "an exaggeration" to say so, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos told the the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Congress. The Spanish government had said it would push ahead with the deal using alternative technology.

Moratinos also said Spain hopes to see that the Venezuelan presidential elections scheduled for December would win wide public support. He urged the Venezuelan opposition to adopt "a more constructive stance" towards the current government.
(snip/)

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200603/03/eng20060303_247623.html

[Selatius]

1. Damn those socialists

We knew the socialists who run the Spanish government now wouldn't listen to us. Too bad Francisco Franco failed to kill them all off at the end of the last civil war. Now there was a fascist America could do business with if he was still around. :sarcasm:

[rodeodance]

2. The WH has to realize that Spain will do what is best for their own

interests--not US interests.

[Ben Ceremos]

4. Perhaps this is not the correct forum for my idea, but...

it seems that the US is painting itself into a corner as far as tech deals are concerned. By denying buyers the right to resell (arguing that the tech in use in the item up for resale is security sensitive, etc.), it puts a chill on the market and it spurs development of alternatives to US made products/technology. The Europeans are busy with the launch of a GPS system that is equal to the US version, but more accessible, so to speak. The fact that Spain is pushing ahead with the deal indicates they feel they can guarantee the legitimacy of the buyer, Venezuela.
Why the US wants to deny the sale is obvious; Target Venezuela.

[HuffleClaw]

3. good for them!

lets hear bush talk about his 'capital' now!

[Vidar]

5. Good for Spain

[xchrom]

6. bushco is nothing if not given to exaggeration.

''The United States has tried to block Spain from selling the aircraft which contain U.S. technology to Venezuela, saying the sale would change the strategic balance in the region.
It is "an exaggeration" to say so, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos told the the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Congress. The Spanish government had said it would push ahead with the deal using alternative technology. ''