Medvedev's Venezuela, Cuba trips set to rile U.S.

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1. • dbe928

   His trip to Venezuela, a key buyer of Russian arms, coincides with the two countries' first joint naval exercise in the Caribbean -- traditionally viewed by the United States as its backyard. Ahead of Medvedev's visit, the Russian military said they were discussing with Havana air defense cooperation.

   Medvedev marked Obama's election victory on November 4 with the announcement of plans to deploy Russian missiles close to NATO's European borders in retaliation for Washington's plans to set up elements of its missile defense system in Eastern Europe.

   But later he softened his tone, saying Moscow pinned hopes on the new U.S. administration making steps to improve ties.

   Medvedev said on November 14 Russia will not be the first to deploy its missiles and called on Obama to revise the shield plans -- seen by Moscow as a security threat.

   BROADENING TIES

   Medvedev's November 26-27 visits to Venezuela and Cuba are the expected highlights of a tour formally centered on his participation in the summit of the APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru on November 22-24.

   Kremlin officials say the visit has no political context and is targeted at expanding Russia's presence in Latin America and the broader Asia-Pacific region, viewed by Moscow as one way to help cushion against the effects of the economic crisis. "There is no specific message," one official said. "Latin America is far away and the president naturally used the opportunity of the APEC summit to visit as many countries as possible to promote better bilateral ties."

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