VZCZCXYZ0142
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCV #0422 0871551
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271551Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0856
INFO RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY MINSK 0025
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0309

UNCLAS CARACAS 000422 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV MCAP PTER BO RS VE
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN ARMS ARRIVE IN VENEZUELA, AIR DEFENSE 
PLANNED 
 
REF: 2007 CARACAS 02010 
 
¶1. (SBU)  SUMMARY:  Nineteen shipping containers carrying 
Russian made ammunition for AK-103 assault rifles were 
transferred from Puerto Cabello to Maracay under heavy 
security on March 25 according to local media.  General 
Alejandro Tineo of the 41st Armored Division added that the 
shipment included machinery for the Venezuelan rifle factory 
expected to open in 2009.  Local dailies also reported that 
the Belarus parliament commenced debate to ratify an 
agreement signed by Presidents Chavez and Lukashenko for 
Belarus to provide an integrated air defense system.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU)  More than 100 soldiers, intelligence officials and 
state police provided security to 19 tractor trailers hauling 
ammunition and machine tools to the headquarters of 
Venezuela's state arms manufacturer CAVIM in Maracay.  The 
convoy traveled March 25 from Puerto Cabello as a helicopter 
gunship flew overhead.  General Alejandro Tineo of the of the 
41st Armored Division explained that the ammunition was for 
the 100,000 AK-103 assault rifles purchased earlier and that 
the containers also held machine tools for the CAVIM AK-103 
factory under construction in Ciudad Jardin.  The general 
added that although the cornerstone had been laid, (Reftel) 
the factory was not expected to be operational until next 
year. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Local media also reported that the Belarus 
parliament had begun debate on the ratification of an arms 
agreement signed between Presidents Chavez and Lukashenko in 
¶2007.  Specifically, the two leaders reportedly agreed to 
plan, build, install and train Venezuelan personnel in the 
use of an integrated air defense radar system to accompany 
Russian S-300 "GARGOYLE" and Tor M-1 "GAUNTLET" missiles 
Venezuela plans to acquire. 
 
DUDDY