Bolivia Says Base Could Be Used For Russian Planes

[Lex]

LA PAZ, Bolivia - President Evo Morales announced Oct. 24 that Moscow plans to build a "maintenance center for Russian planes that fly in South America," in Bolivia.

Morales said the planned center would be at an airport in Chimore, a coca producing region of the Andean nation, that he said previously served as a base for U.S. anti-narcotics operations.

It was not clear if the facility would be used for Russian military aircraft.

Venezuela has been the region's most notable buyer of Russian aircraft in recent years, purchasing a string of MiG fighters and Mi-28.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 24 Oct 2009 17:20