BARVIKHA, Russia, (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez cemented a closer alliance with Russia yesterday, recognising two pro-Russian rebel regions of Georgia as independent and securing arms supplies and loans in return.
Chavez’s move to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a rare diplomatic success for Russia, which has tried for over a year to persuade its allies to follow its lead and treat the two small regions as sovereign. Only Nicaragua had agreed so far.
“Venezuela from today is joining in the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” Chavez told President Dmitry Medvedev through a translator at the Russian leader’s residence outside Moscow.
Caracas would start the process of establishing diplomatic relations with them soon, he added.
The rest of the world views the two regions, which threw off Georgian rule in the early 1990s and have run their own affairs since, as an integral part of Georgia. The issue has become a key sticking point in relations between the West and Russia.
President Dmitry Medvedev thanked Chavez, who is visiting Moscow, for his support. Shortly afterwards he said Russia would supply tanks and other weapons sought by Venezuela.
“We will supply Venezuela the weapons that Venezuela asks for,” Medvedev said after their talks.
“Why not tanks? Without question, we have good tanks. If our friends want our tanks, we will deliver them.”
No details were given of the arms deal but Russia’s state RIA news agency quoted a military source as saying Venezuela would buy 100 tanks for $500 million. The two sides also announced plans for a joint bank with capital of $4 billion to finance their projects.
Venezuela wants to beef up its weaponry to resist what Chavez terms U.S. imperialism in Latin America. Tension has also been rising with neighbouring Colombia, a close U.S. ally and historic rival of Venezuela.
Venezuela and Colombia came close to war last year and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has accused Chavez of supporting FARC Marxist rebels fighting Bogota. Venezuela objects to Colombia allowing the United States to use its military bases for anti-drug operations.
