EADS CASA still working with Chavez regime to circumvent US law, Baduel affirms

EADS CASA and the Spanish government continue to work closely with the Chavez regime to circumvent US nonproliferation law.

That's what Venezuelan Defense Minister Raul Baduel affirmed in a July 28 news conference. EADS CASA and Spain are working hard to replace all American-made components from the planes they are selling the regime to get around the US International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) law designed to stop weapons proliferation to "bad actors" abroad.

"The Defense Minister said in a news conference that EADS CASA and the Venezuelan government agreed to maintain the acquisition of the ten C-29 transport planes and two C2-195 [sic] maritime patrol planes, with a 'margin that allows for alternatives in the substitution of components of non-European origin,'" AP reports in Spanish from Caracas.