Brazil’s Foreign Minister has said he has seen indications the United States wants to block a sale of Brazilian-made military aircraft to Venezuela.
Foreign Minister Celso Amorim told reporters Wednesday, January 11, he intends to discuss the matter with U.S. officials and try to convince them not to prevent the sale.
He says he believes Venezuela is a threat to no one and that disagreements over internal policies should not restrict transfers of technology.
Mr. Amorim’s comments came after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Tuesday alleged Washington wanted to veto his deal with Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer because the planes use U.S. technology.
Reuters news service quotes a U.S. State Department spokesman who declined to comment on the veto allegation, but said the U.S. had let Brazil know it had concerns about Venezuela’s arms acquisitions.
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