Russia ratchets up US tensions with arms sales to Iran and Venezuela

[Cheetah786]

Russia defied the United States yesterday by announcing plans to sell military hardware to Iran and Venezuela.

The head of Russia’s state arms exporter said that he was negotiating to sell antiaircraft systems to Iran despite American objections. Russia has already delivered 29 Tor-M1 missile systems under a $700 million (£386 million) deal with Iran in 2005.

“Contacts between our countries are continuing and we do not see any reason to suspend them,” Anatoli Isaikin, the general director of Rosoboronexport, told the RIA-Novosti news agency at an arms fair in South Africa.

Reports have circulated for some time that the Kremlin is preparing to sell its S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Iran, offering greater protection against a possible US or Israeli attack on the Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities. The missiles have a range of more than 90 miles (150km).

Sergei Chemezov, the head of the state-owned Russian Technologies, also disclosed that Venezuela’s leader, Hugo Chávez, wanted to buy antiaircraft systems, armoured personnel carriers, and SU35 fighter jets when they come into production in 2010.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Sechin, one of the closest allies of Mr Putin, the Prime Minister, visited Venezuela and Cuba this week. Kommersant, the financial newspaper, said Russia was forming “alliance relations” with the two antiAmerican regimes as a response to US involvement in former Soviet republics.(Mr 10% i think its time to make some Allies)

The Russian moves mark a serious deterioration in relations between Washington and Moscow. Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, stepped up the rhetoric yesterday by threatening to block Russia’s membership of key international organisations.

She told the Kremlin that its “authoritarian policies” could prevent it from joining the World Trade Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, which coordinates economic policies among industrialised countries. In an outspoken speech to the German Marshall Fund, an institution promoting greater cooperation between America and Europe, Dr Rice said: “The picture emerging is of a Russia increasingly authoritarian at home and aggressive abroad.

“Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation is now in question. And so too is its attempt to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.”

She added: “Russia’s international standing is worse now than at any time since 1991.” The WTO is due to meet in Geneva on Thursday to discuss Russia’s bid to join the global trade body, a process that began in 1993, soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Dr Rice said that Russia’s actions in Georgia fitted into a “worsening pattern of behaviour”, which included its “intimidation of its sovereign neighbours, its use of oil and gas as a political weapon, its threat to target peaceful nations with nuclear weapons, its arms sales to states and groups that threaten international security and its persecution – and worse – of Russian journalists and dissidents.”

She repeated the US commitment to put forward a $1 billion economic support package for Georgia. The European Union has already pledged $500 million.

At the heart of the dispute between the two former Cold War adversaries is Moscow’s insistence that America and its Nato allies are interfering in Russia’s “near abroad” and threatening its interests.

The Kremlin is furious about plans to site an antimissile shield in Eastern Europe. The interceptors are designed to stop ballistic missile attacks from Iran, but Russia believes the system in Poland and the Czech Republic is aimed at weakening its military capability.

Ruslan Pukhov, the director of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies in Moscow, said that it was logical to conclude a lucrative contract with Iran “in the current situation, when the US and the West in general are stubbornly gearing toward a confrontation with Russia”.

Mr Putin said last month that Russia should “restore its position in Cuba”, amid persistent speculation that it may seek to open a military base on the island as a retort to the US missile shield.

Deadly deals

— Russia is believed to export arms to about 80 countries

— Venezuela bought Russian fighter jets and helicopters worth £540 million in 2006; Indonesia bought a similar amount in 2007

— China’s arms deals with Russia were worth £1 billion a year but dwindled in 2006 and no new contracts are planned

— In 2005 Russia agreed to sell 30 Tor M-1 air-defence missile systems to Iran

Sources: Global Security, RIA-Novosti, Agencies

 

[T-Rex]

Pakistan should approach Russia and try to improve the relation, it will be in the best interest to both sides. I don't think Russia, at this moment, can afford to say no to Pakistan for both of them have become targets of the Great Satan.

 

[pkpatriotic]

Russia Strikes Oil Deal With Chávez and Plans Upgrade of Military
Published: September 26, 2008
MOSCOW — Russia continued its international muscle-flexing on Friday, strengthening its ties to Venezuela through a $1 billion military loan and a new oil consortium as it announced an upgrade of its own military focusing on nuclear deterrence and permanent combat readiness.

Miraflores Palace/Reuters
President Hugo Chávez, holding a replica Russian Tu-160 long-range bomber, and Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin in Orenburg, Russia, on Friday.

After a military exercise on Friday in the southern city of Orenburg, near the border with Kazakhstan, the Russian president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, declared that by 2020 Russia would construct new types of warships, including nuclear submarines carrying cruise missiles and an unspecified air and space defense system.

The moves point to continuing tension between Russia and the West after the five-day war in Georgia. Response in Washington was muted, as officials weighed whether the moves were merely a restatement of existing initiatives or should be interpreted as one early sign of a new, if slow-motion, arms race. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in an interview with Reuters: “The balance of power in terms of nuclear deterrence is not going to be affected by those measures.”

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference that his Russian counterparts had in the past made it “very clear to me that their intention was to modernize their strategic forces.” The current plans, he said, are consistent with Russian policy going “as far back as a couple of years.”

But the war in Georgia has clearly reordered priorities. With Europe and the United States united in condemnation of Russia’s military actions, Russian leaders began reaching out to countries like Venezuela, which are eager to provide a counterweight to United States power. On Thursday, Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chávez, arrived on his second visit here.

On Friday, Mr. Medvedev said the conflict also proved “the acuteness” of Russia’s need to modernize its military. Defense spending will increase by 26 percent next year, bringing it to 1.3 trillion rubles ($50 billion), its highest level since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“Just recently we have had to rebuff an aggression by the Georgian regime and, as we found, a war can flare up suddenly and can be absolutely real,” he said. “Local, smoldering conflicts, which are sometimes even called ‘frozen conflicts,’ will turn into a real military conflagration.”

The conflict in Georgia flared on the night of Aug. 7, when Georgia ordered an attack against Russian-backed separatists in South Ossetia. In response, Russia sent troops flooding over its border and deep into Georgia. Russia has recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a second separatist enclave, as sovereign states and plans to defend their borders.

The conflict revealed serious weaknesses in Russian military readiness. Georgian air defenses shot down at least six Russian jets, pointing to poor maintenance and inadequate training. Russians took losses because they lacked air cover as they entered South Ossetia, and a Russian general, apparently operating without sufficient intelligence, was wounded when he led a column into Georgian ambush.

By 2020, Mr. Medvedev said, Russia will shore up nuclear deterrents like nuclear submarines armed with cruise missiles and a combined air-space defense system.

In the same period, he said, the Russian armed forces will be upgraded to a state of “permanent combat readiness.” He said Russia would also improve military training and research.

“We should seek superiority in the air, in carrying out precision strikes against ground and sea targets, and in the prompt redeployment of forces,” he said, according to a statement on the Kremlin’s Web site.

Aleksandr Golts, an independent Russian military analyst, said the announcement conveyed a clear message, both to Russians and foreigners: that Russia “has risen from its knees.”

“Russia wants to behave as a great power,” he said.

“I have to agree with Mr. Gates, your defense secretary, who said that the existing Russian armed forces are only a shadow of the Soviet ones,” he said.

At a meeting with Mr. Chávez, Mr. Medvedev agreed to a form a Russian-Venezuelan energy consortium that would share resources to produce and sell oil and gas. Russian companies are already at work exploring oil fields in Venezuela, but the agreement will allow them to expand their reach into more areas, including fields in Ecuador and Bolivia.

Mr. Chávez described the agreement as “a colossus being born.”

More cooperative efforts are in the works: On Thursday, Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin said Russia would consider working with Venezuela to build nuclear power facilities. Mr. Chávez said he would like to see the two countries join forces to create a Russian-Venezuelan bank, and the two countries are planning joint large-scale naval exercises in late November.

Mr. Chávez reaffirmed his support for Russia’s military campaign in South Ossetia, saying Venezuelans were “well aware of the reasons behind the conflict — who attacked the people of South Ossetia and how.” He also passed on greetings from President Raúl Castro of Cuba, whom he recently met in Havana, and from the Chinese president, Hu Jintao.

Admiral Mullen, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, played down the joint efforts. Russia and Venezuela, he said, have the right to work together “if they see fit.”

Some White House officials have privately urged a more punitive response to Russia’s invasion of Georgia, but Ms. Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates have urged a calm and deliberate response as being less likely to escalate tensions. That strategy has been adopted by the Bush administration.

In another assertion of its international role, Russia sent a warship, the Neustrashimy, from a port on the Baltic Sea to the coast of Somalia, in response to the capture by pirates of a Ukrainian vessel bound for Kenya on Thursday.

On board the vessel were 33 T-72 tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition, the Ukrainian defense minister, Yuriy Yekhanurov, said at a news briefing, according to Interfax. Mr. Yekhanurov said the arms were sold legally, and were headed for the Kenyan port of Mombasa.

Most likely the ship will not arrive in time to participate in any operation to retake the hijacked Ukrainian vessel. But a Russian Navy spokesman, Igor Dygalo, said Russia will occasionally patrol waters where piracy is a danger.

Iran Resolution Is Shaped

UNITED NATIONS — The foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the Security Council, plus that of Germany, agreed Friday on a draft resolution on Iran’s nuclear program.

The new resolution came after Russia earlier in the week rejected the need for a group meeting over Tehran’s program.

The sparse, two paragraph text called on Iran to comply with previous resolutions instructing it to suspend uranium enrichment, but it included no new sanctions.

The ministers said the measure signaled that they were united in pressing Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The foreign ministers did not meet officially, but a consensus emerged during sideline discussions that Iran should not be left with the impression that squabbling over Georgia meant the six were divided on the nuclear issue.

Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said he agreed to the new resolution because it reinforced the idea that despite their differences on the method to reach an agreement with Iran, “Nobody will have any doubt that the six are united in their goal.” Russia still opposed new sanctions, he said.

The five permanent members of the Council are the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that she still hoped that some officials in the Iranian government would prefer a negotiated settlement to further isolation for Iran.

Diplomats said the resolution could come to a vote in the Security Council as early as Saturday.

After the Georgian climax, Its another good shot played by Russia to prove his vitality & worth in global senario. Pakistan should review & reform its policy for foreign relations, Strategical partnership & trade developments. we should enhance relations & trade with China, Russia & with european countries especially with France. Besides that, Pakistan should have good solid relations with the (former Russian states)eastern european countries.

Thom Shanker contributed reporting from Washington, and Michael Schwirtz from Moscow.

 

[pkpatriotic]

Chavez cosies up to Russia, China
Sunday, September 28, 2008
CARACAS: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s visit to China and Russia this week and the military and energy cooperation agreements he signed put him on dangerous ground in his relations with the United States, political analysts said.

“This trip shows he intends not only to break free of the US sphere of influence in matters of defence, but also to strike significant political links with the very powers that challenge US supremacy,” international studies professor Elsa Cardozo told AFP.

Since Chavez came to power in 1999, Venezuela has become a major buyer of Russian weaponry on the premise it needs stronger defences in case it comes under foreign attack. Chavez has repeatedly accused Washington of plotting his overthrow.

During Chavez’s visit, Moscow on Thursday announced a one-billion-dollar loan to Venezuela to buy Russian arms. Both countries in 2005 and 2007 signed deals for $4.4 billion of Russian weapons, including fighter jets, tanks and assault rifles.

“The United States has tried to disarm us, to boycott us, and we’ve got some old, US-made planes that can’t fly because the United States won’t sell us spare parts,” said Chavez.

“I went to Beijing, I went to Moscow and now we’ve got a fighter squadron better than the F-16s,” he added.

Chavez’ trip to Russia came only days after Moscow sent a pair of Tu-160 strategic bombers on a training mission to Venezuela, followed by a naval flotilla led by the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Peter the Great.

The Russian warships were to take part in unprecedented joint manoeuvres with the Venezuelan navy in the Caribbean Sea, in a part of the world the United States has traditionally regarded as its backyard. “Russia has new intentions, as it has shown in the Caucasus, and Chavez has absolutely irresponsibly opened the doors of the Caribbean and the Venezuela territory to them,” said world politics analyst Maruja Tarre.

“We don’t know why he’s done this. We don’t know how many Russians will come over. It’s something that should be discussed openly, publicly, but that’s not the case,” she added.

“Russia’s game is not Venezuela’s, and our country is facing unnecessary risks by taking on an agenda it doesn’t control,” said Cardozo.

“In its bid to regain its superpower footing, Russia is sending the US a message: ‘We’ve got a welcome mat in South America,’” added the university professor.

So far, Washington has downplayed the Venezuela-Russia overtures.

“Clearly, those two countries ... can work together as they see fit. I just don’t consider that a really significant threat at this particular point in time,” Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen told reporters on Friday.

In another disconcerting move, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s predecessor and now Prime Minister Valdimir Putin on Thursday offered Russia’s cooperation in developing nuclear power in Venezuela. And also of international concern are Venezuela’s growing relations with Iran, a country on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism that could be dabbling with nuclear weapons.

“What threat can Venezuela’s relations with Iran and Russia pose, when the biggest threat to the world is the US empire’s very existence,” said Chavez recently.

But Tarre said “Latin America has vowed to stay a nuclear-free. And Venezuela, apart from not needing nuclear power plants, would be violating (nuclear-free) treaties it signed with other neighbouring countries.” During his three-day visit to China earlier this week, Chavez also announced he was buying 24, K-8 reconnaissance and training aircraft from China, which he said “Venezuela needs very much.” Venezuela has also purchased Chinese radar stations in the past.

The K-8 sale went unconfirmed by Chinese authorities, who were very reticent about their relations with Venezuela. Chinese officials denied that any military cooperation agreements were signed during Chavez’ visit.

“Even the Chinese said they kept only trade relations with Venezuela, but the Russians have other goals. On their big chessboard, Venezuela is just a pawn to be cast aside when they choose, and that’s the end of it,” said Tarre.

 

[Flintlock]

And you are happy because.....?

 

[T-Rex]

And you are happy because.....?

The same reason that makes you so unhappy.

 

[U-571]

Pakistan should approach Russia and try to improve the relation, it will be in the best interest to both sides. I don't think Russia, at this moment, can afford to say no to Pakistan for both of them have become targets of the Great Satan.

great chance for pakistan to break up with US and ally with russia, as india too drifting towards the sinking US ship!!!

 

[pkpatriotic]

Venezuela to develop nuclear power: Chavez
Monday, 29 Sep, 2008

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks to supporters during a meeting of Venezuela Socialist Party (PSUV) in Caracas. -Reuters
CARACAS: President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday Venezuela will develop a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes, in another challenge to Washington just days after Russia offered nuclear assistance to the socialist Latin American leader.
'In Venezuela we are interested in development of nuclear energy, of course for peaceful purposes, for medical purposes, for purposes of electricity generation,' Chavez said at a political rally.
'Brazil has various nuclear reactors, so does Argentina. We will have ours.'
Chavez noted that Venezuela, which is a member of the oil-producing cartel OPEC, developed a nuclear reactor decades ago but abandoned it under pressure from the United States.

He said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had offered help with a reactor, adding that 'we already have a commission working on this issue.'

Chavez did not offer details or say when a reactor could be ready, but the news could further strain relations with Washington, which views Chavez as autocratic and erratic.

He has repeatedly challenged Washington, notably by defending Iran's nuclear activities despite strong condemnation by the United States and Europe.

This month Chavez expelled the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela and repeated his frequent threats to halt oil sales that make up around 10 percent of U.S. oil imports.
Venezuela has boosted cooperation with Moscow since Russia came under strong U.S. condemnation for fighting a war against Georgia last month, strengthening ties between two of the United States' strongest critics.
Russia and Venezuela have also signed 12 arms contracts worth a total of $4.4 billion in the last two years, according to a Kremlin source.

Does it enough encourage us to review our foreign policy???

 

[Flintlock]

The same reason that makes you so unhappy.

Why should I be unhappy? India has good relations with both countries.

I'm wondering since Pakistan doesn't exactly gain anything from this.

 

[muse]

Indian diplomacy has been spot on thus - it has won very important concsions from the US, (which will eventually help Russia and France) it has a trade suplus with the US, It's doing gang buster business with the EU (today there a EU-India conference openning in France), it does great business with China, and it's business as usual with Russia.

With each of these India has managed relations, well, just great, it cooperates strategically and ensures her self interest.

Contrast this with Pakistani diplomacy thus far - fact is everybody, EU, CHina, Russia and US are "concerned" when it comes to Pakistan, because Pakistan cannot decide what it is - is it a republic or an Islamic emirate? Does it value science and technical and human progress or religious studies? Is her population religious faithful or Religious militants?

To escape being a tool of other powers, Pakistan must decide what it is - procrastination will lead to failure, or it can be that limping along is the best collective decsion that Pakistan can make; if a basket case is what it decides to be.