Chavez envoy reiterates interest in EADS CASA deal

The Chavez regime is still interested in the EADS CASA aircraft sale, and says that the plans to purchase the CN-235 and C-295 "continue" because Venezuela "wants those planes."

Venezuela's Ambassador to Spain, Arévalo Méndez Romero, tells Europa Press that Caracas is still interested in going through with the purchase. "The purchase of these airplanes goes forward, and therefore, continues," he says.

Ambassador Méndez Romero spoke to reporters in Seville, home of EADS CASA, after being received by Manuel Chaves, the socialist president of the Junta of Andalucia. The Venezuelan envoy called the meeting "very positive for the ties that are consolidating between Venezuela and Andalucia."

Andalucia is the region of Spain that is a stronghold of the ruling Socialist Workers Party.

Europa Press reports, "With respect to the contract of the twelve airplanes, that will be assembled in the EADS factory in Seville, the ambassador manifested that his country 'wants those planes' and assured that 'with time the problem of switching the technology [from American-made to non-US parts] will be resolved.'"