Tag Archives: Moscow

Oct
28
2010
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Washington Must Take a Stronger Stand on Russia-Venezuela Nuclear Deal

This article was originally posted by The Huffington Post

When Russia recently signed a deal to supply Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez with nuclear reactors, the silence from Washington was deafening. The Obama administration was probably concerned that strong U.S. opposition to the deal could undermine cooperation with Moscow on several important fronts, and that it could give the adversarial President Chavez a propaganda windfall. These concerns are not without merit, but they are also not an excuse for inaction.

Over the past few years, Russia has shown that it may be more interested in making money than in controlling weapons proliferation.

Moscow delivered the fuel for Iran’s Bushehr reactor last August, two months after the United Nations Security Council passed a fourth round of sanctions against Tehran for its nuclear noncompliance and suspicions of possible nuclear military activities. Indeed, despite its increasing cooperation with the United States on tightening UN Security Council sanctions against Iran, Russia ultimately proved unwilling to use Bushehr as leverage for bringing Iran into line with Security Council demands.

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Oct
27
2010
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Debunking the Chavez Tour: What Chavez’s Trip to Russia Really Means for the U.S.

This article was originally published by Political News

Congressman Connie Mack, the Ranking Republican of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, will issue fact checks every day this week on Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez’s recent tour through Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Libya, and Portugal. While news agencies reported on Chavez’s numerous stops, the true impact to U.S. security and the failure of U.S. engagement with Venezuela has been negligently overlooked.

Mack said:

“Last week, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez visited Russia, where he signed an agreement to develop two nuclear reactors in Venezuela with Russia’s help. In addition to developing nuclear energy, Chavez declared new efforts to establish a Russian-Venezuelan bank, similar to the one that currently exists between Venezuela and Iran.

“Russia also offered Venezuela $1 billion in credit to buy Russian weapons, according to Russian news agency Interfax. Chavez agreed to buy S-3000 air defense systems that Moscow refused to deliver to Iran due to U.N.-imposed sanctions. However, Chavez has stated he will not uphold the sanctions against the country, providing an avenue for sanctionable items to arrive in Iran. Over the past five years, Venezuela has bought approximately $4 billion worth of Russian weapons and has emerged as the main Latin American client of the Russian military industry.

“In response, the State Department has said they will closely watch Venezuela’s relationship with Iran. Meanwhile, Chavez continues to deepen relationships with stated enemies of the United States, expanding his ability to turn rhetoric into action with nuclear energy and other weapons that are fueling insecurity, crime, and illegal armed groups along our borders.

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Oct
22
2010
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US to keep close eye on Venezuela-Iran energy deals

This article was originally posted by the AFP

The United States will be vigilant of the energy cooperation deals made between Iran and Venezuela to make sure they do not violate sanctions against Tehran, the US State Department said Thursday.

“Venezuela like all countries has clear responsibilities,” State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.

“We will watch to see if any of these deals amount to anything and if they do, whether they constitute a violation of the (UN) Security Council resolutions and sanctions against Iran.”

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday signed 11 deals with Tehran focused on energy cooperation between the two major oil producers and US foes. Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad both denounced American “imperialism” and called for a “new world order” during the visit, part of the South American leader’s international tour aimed at strengthening Venezuela’s economic ties with eastern Europe and the Middle East.

“It is hard for me to see how President Chavez’s current travel can be seen as constructive,” Crowley said.

“Venezuela has a right to pursue civilian nuclear energy,” Crowley added, though “it also has a responsibility to make sure that any nuclear program does not represent a proliferation risk.”

Earlier this week US President Barack Obama backed Venezuela’s efforts to develop nuclear power for civilian energy purposes after Caracas and Moscow signed a landmark deal.

Chavez clinched a deal in Moscow on Friday that will see Russia build and operate the first nuclear power plant in his country.