February 12, 2005
Venezuela rejects U.S. criticism over arms buys

(Reuters News) - "Venezuela dismissed as 'impertinence' U.S. criticism of its plans to buy Russian rifles and helicopters (...)

'This is a sovereign action by Venezuela which President Hugo Chávez's government is not willing to discuss,"'Vice President José Vicente Rangel said in a terse statement (...)

In his statement, Rangel described the U.S. reaction as 'another impertinence from Mr Bush's government'.

'One has to ask whether the U.S. concern might not stem from the fact that this equipment is being bought in Russia and not in the United States (...)'.

Russian officials also said U.S. objections were unfounded, adding that the arms sales to Venezuela were a normal commercial transaction that did not violate any international laws (...)"