Senators singled out European EADS-CASA for aiding Chavez

In a "Dear Colleague" letter inviting other lawmakers to sign the message to Bush, Senator John Kyl (R-AZ) explicitly cited the "Spanish-owned Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA)" company, part of the French-German EADS consortium, which is selling CN-235 and CN-295 troop transports to the Chavez regime.

"This case underscores the need to establish a comprehensive policy that holds foreign military suppliers accountable for cooperating with hostile regimes that compromise US security," Kyl said.

The letter, titled "Coordinating Policy Toward Venezuela," states:

"In November 2005, the Spanish government finalized a $1.3 billion deal to supply the Hugo Chavez regime with military supply boats and aircraft. Despite objections by the Bush administration, Spanish-owned Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA) proceeded with the sale, removing US components from the aircraft so the US could not use the International Trade in Arms Regulations to block the sale. President Chavez welcomed Spain's decision to proceed with the deal, characterizing the sale as 'confronting the hegemonic and imperialist ambitions of the elite that now governs the United States.'

"This case underscores the need to establish a comprehensive policy that holds foreign military suppliers accountable for cooperating with hostile regiems that compromise US security. The attached letter expresses support for the Bush administration's effort to prevent the sale, and urges the development and implementation of a new policy that encourages allied cooperation in dealing with the threat posed by the Chavez regime."

(Click on Senator Kyl's letter for a larger image.)