January 13, 2006
Moratinos: Aircraft sale to Venezuela does not destabilize the region

(El Universal) - "During an official visit to Vienna, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Angel Moratinos, said the aircraft sale to Venezuela 'will not destabilize' the region and said he does not share 'the reasons alleged' by the US to deny the export license.

During a press conference, the Minister said 'as a government, the only thing we did was promote the agreement between two companies and we have repeatedly said this is an sales operation of military aircrafts with civil dimensions, with no offensive intentions whatsoever' (...)

The Spanish government announced the contracts signed with Venezuela for the sale of twelve military aircrafts 'must be honoured', so they will replace US made components with technology of a different origin".