U.S. urges Russia to reconsider jet deal with Venezuela

The United States on Tuesday expressed its concern over Russia's plan to sell fighter jets and helicopters to Venezuela and urged the latter to reconsider the deal.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that the U.S. side has raised the issue several times with Russia and maintains its opposition to the deal, which, it said, is not "in the interests of the Russia or Venezuela."

Last Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov announced that Russia and Venezuela has signed a defense contract worth more than one billion U.S. dollars, in which Russia will provide Venezuela with 30 Sukhoi SU-30 jets and 30 helicopters.

At present, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in Moscow for a three-day visit and the jet deal will be the highlight of his trip.

Chavez said last month that his visit to Russia could also see a deal on building a Kalashnikov assault rifle factory in Venezuela.

Venezuela is seeking to acquire SU-30 jets to replace its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 jets, citing maintenance problems due to the weapon embargo imposed by the Bush administration on the country.

The U.S. government has forbidden U.S. manufacturers to sell arms to Venezuela, accusing the country of not being "a reliable partner in the war on terror."

Source: Xinhua