Rumsfeld Promotes Gun Control
Monday, March 28, 2005
(SNN) U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is criticizing the purchase of AK-47 assault rifles from Russia. “I personally hope it doesn't happen. I can't imagine, if it did happen, it would be good for the hemisphere," the defense secretary said.
Weapons are expected to arrive in a few months
A senior U.S. defense official, speaking only on condition of anonymity, said weapons are expected to arrive in a few months. Also in negotiation is the purchase of at least 40 Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters, at least 30 Russian attack helicopters and possibly some Spanish naval vessels, the official said, citing public statements from U.S. intelligence. Some of the larger weapons systems, such as the helicopters, are useful in border patrol and other operations that the Pentagon regards as legitimate. But the small arms are harder to track and could end up more easily in criminal hands. Rumsfeld did not mention the proposed sale of military airplanes.
Rumsfeld did not mention the proposed sale of military airplanes.
Apparently, Amazon.com is involved in the arms deal. Amazon.com is no stranger to the weapons trade, their $1.4 billion network of airborne and ground-based radars and computers, dubbed the Amazon Surveillance System, can monitor illegal landing strips, climatic and soil conditions in some of the two million square miles of territory. Drug flights over the area covered by the network have decreased by 30 percent since it went online, according to defense officials.
However, the Vice President has rebuffed Rumsfeld’s criticism of the purchase. Wary of the opinions of the pro-gun ownership lobby, the Vice President said, “The Lord of War, Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense of the United States made statements following the same line of repeating the usual impertinences to create enemies among our friends.”
