US fighters 'for sale' to Iran
2006-05-16 20:44
Caracas - Venezuela's military is considering the possibility of selling its fleet of US-made F-16 fighter jets to another country - perhaps Iran - in response to a US ban on arms sales to President Hugo Chavez's government, a Venezuelan military official said on Tuesday.
General Alberto Muller, a senior adviser to Chavez, told The Associated Press he had recommended to the defence minister that Venezuela consider selling the 21 jets to another country.
Muller said he thought it was worthwhile to consider "the feasibility of a negotiation with Iran for the sale of those planes".
Even before the US announced the ban on arms sales on Monday, Washington had stopped selling Venezuela sensitive upgrades for the F-16s.
Chavez has previously warned he could share the US jets with Cuba if Washington does not supply parts for the planes.
He also has said he may look into buying fighter jets from Russia or China instead.
- AP