Agence France-Presse,
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Thursday he might purchase some Russian submarines when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month in Moscow.
“What's so strange about us buying submarines,” Chavez, a virulent critic of the United States, asked in a televised speech. “I don't know if we'll buy them, but if we do it shouldn't shock anybody.”
If a deal is done, it could chill the tone of a summit between Putin and US President George W. Bush slated for early July.
The remarks followed a Foreign Ministry spokesman's annoncement that Chavez would forgo the June 28-30 summit in Asuncion of the Mercosur trade bloc to meet with Putin in Moscow.
Chavez “had a standing commitment in Moscow by invitation of president Putin when he received the Mercosur invitation,” the spokesman said on condition of anonymity.
Amid reports that Venezuela and Russia were mulling an arms deal, the spokesman said Chavez, Putin and their foreign ministers would tackle an agenda that is “for the most part economic, to ratify and deepen existing agreements.”
The issue of a Venezuelan purchase of Russian submarines “is not on the agenda, but is being studied,” the spokesman said.
“Russia is a possible supplier and Venezuela is a potential buyer, but nothing is concrete so far,” the source said.
Chavez later told a televised meeting with local officials that he was surprised at reporters' questions about a possible submarine purchase by his government.
“They're making all this noise because Venezuela is going to buy some submarines. And I told them, 'Why not?'” Chavez said without actually confirming or denying the rumor.
“We've got half a million square kilometers of (Caribbean) sea, to the north we've got Puerto Rico, in other words the empire (United States), and France in the western Caribbean islands. We've got a huge sea,” he said apparently alluding the use to which Venezuela's submarines would be put.
Analysts also say Chavez wants the subs to protect shipping lanes for key oil exports.
Russian daily Kommersant said last week that Chavez wanted to buy as many as nine submarines and that during his visit could clinch the deal,
In addition to Russia, Chavez' foreign visit will also take in Belorussia and Iran, officials said after the National Assembly approved the trip.
Chavez tour of Russia, Belorussia and Iran will take place from June 26 to July 3.
Mercosur was formed in 1991 by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay with the aim of eventually creating a South American common market. Chile and Bolivia became associate members in 1996. Venezuela joined in July.
