Venezuela says it plans to hold joint naval exercises in its territorial waters with Russian forces this fall, BBC online reports Sunday.
A senior Venezuelan naval officer said four Russian ships and. 1.000 Russian troops would take part in the exercises from 10th to 14th November, which would also involve Venezuelan aircraft and submarines.
The move is likely to raise concern in the US, whose relations with Russia have been soured by Moscows recent conflict in Georgia. Washington already has rocky relations with Venezuelas left wing President Hugo Chavez.
In July, Chavez called for a strategic alliance with Russia to protect Venezuela from the US. Caracas and Moscow agreed to extend bilateral co-operation on energy, with three Russian energy companies to be allowed to operate in Venezuela.
Se også telegrammet www.u-landsnyt.dk/indhold.asp?ID=15189&mode=Nyhed
