Rumsfeld concerned about Venezuelan arms purchase from Russia

WAR.WIRE

Rumsfeld concerned about Venezuelan arms purchase from Russia
BRASILIA (AFP) Mar 23, 2005
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, on a visit here Wednesday, expressed concern about Venezuela's decision to buy 100,000 AK-47 rifles from Russia.

"Certainly, I'm concerned. I can't imagine what's going to happen to 100,000 AK-47s. I can't imagine why Venezuela needs 100,000 AK-47s, and I just personally hope that it doesn't happen," he said after meeting with Brazil's vice president and minister of defense, Jose Alencar.

"And I can't imagine if it did happen that it would be good for the hemisphere," Rumsfeld added, noting US concerns that rebels from the FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or other illegal armed groups in the region might get hold of some of the weapons.

After his talks with Alencar, Rumsfeld met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He was then scheduled to fly to Manaus, in the Amazon region, later in the day, followed by a stop in Guatemala.