MARIA DANIELA ESPINOZA
EL UNIVERSAL

"I am handing you the best rifle around the world for us to become better soldiers everyday. Motherland or death!" exclaimed Wednesday President Hugo Chávez -wearing an olive military uniform- when formally delivered to the National Armed Force (FAN) the first 30,000 Russian Kalashnikov AK-103 rifles out of 100,000.

He described the move as an "act of victory and liberation," "because we are defeating the United States hegemonic aspirations. They will not be able to cope with us!" he exclaimed.

Chávez delivered the new Russian weapons to officers with the National Guard, the Aviation, the Navy and the Army, as well Caracas Battalion, and the Presidential Guard of Honor. The Kalashnikov AK-130 rifles are to replace "the old light automatic rifles (FAL)", which Chávez handed over the military reserve and the territorial guard.

"Delivery of Kalashnikov rifles is the first step towards an integral plan to supply military equipment in order to increase the FAN combat and resistance capacities," Chávez said at the Defense Ministry. "We have started to change the idea of military equipment," he stressed.

"In a few days, we are going to lay the foundation stone, in Maracay (central Aragua state), of a plant to manufacture Kalashnikov rifles. In three years, we should be producing the first rifles. At the same time, also in Maracay, we are going to build an ammunition manufacturing plant," Chávez said, accompanied by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, representatives of the public branches, his cabinet and representatives of Russian firm Rosoboronexport.

Following a long salutation to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chávez made a second announcement.

"In 13 days, on June 27, two Sukhoi-30 warplanes are to take off from Russia. They are going to fly all their way down here and are going to fly over during the July 5 military parade. Venezuelan pilots are to fly those planes," he underscored. He then ratified his plans to purchase "a first batch" of Sukhoi-30 warplanes. "They should be delivered by the end of the year."
 
Subsequently, Defense minister vice-admiral Orlando Maniglia clarified that the two Sukhoi-30 airplanes Chávez mentioned are to arrive in Venezuela on July 30 for "a demonstration." During another event later Wednesday, Chávez said that Venezuela is to purchase a first batch of 24 Sukhoi-30 warplanes.

Further, Chávez ensured Venezuela is to purchase additional Russian helicopters, as the choppers purchased so far have been handed over to the Army. "We have agreed to a new batch of helicopters for the Aviation. These are assault helicopters, which are ideal for war of resistance," he underscored. "Another Russian contribution to Venezuela" is the installation of "a state-of-the-art helicopter maintenance center."

He insisted that his government "has no plans to attack anyone," "we are simply preparing to defend our sacred land."

President Chávez started his speech bearing one Kalashnikov AK-103 rifle he then delivered to the Defense minister in his capacity as the commander in chief of the National Armed Force.

He simulated taking aim at a target and said "AK-103 has an effective range of 1,000 meters."

Maniglia, in turn, said other 32,000 AK-103 rifles are to arrive in Venezuela in August, while another batch of 28,000 units is expected at the end of October.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.

Maria Daniela Espinosa
EL UNIVERSAL