March 31, 2005
Spain and Venezuela arms deal: lack of information

(BBC News) - "Venezuela and Spain have signed a number of trade agreements, including the controversial sale of Spanish military equipment (...)

But Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said the equipment would be used for peaceful purposes. It includes Spain's naval patrol vessels and military transport planes.

The agreements were signed at the end of Mr. Zapatero's two-day visit to Venezuela. Several of the deals involve Spain's and Venezuela's respective oil companies, PDVSA and Repsol. (...)

President Chávez said these were not weapons of war but instruments of peace. The boats will be used, he said, to step up Venezuela's coastal patrols against the drugs trade. While the transport planes would be used mainly for humanitarian missions inside and outside the country.

Mr. Zapatero said he believed the criticisms levelled by the Spanish opposition were based on lack of information rather than any other intention".