GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana's government is dismissing the main opposition party's concern about Venezuela strengthening its military with Russian weaponry.

Russia recently gave Venezuela a US$1 billion credit to buy arms. It also has signed contracts worth more than US$4.4 billion since 2005 to supply weapons to the socialist country.

But Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo's administration said yesterday it was confident Caracas respected Guyana's territorial integrity regardless of a long-standing border dispute between the two South American governments.

The People's National Congress on Saturday said the Russian weapons sales were reminiscent of a 1966 buildup, when Venezuela occupied half of Ankoko Island that Guyana says is its territory.

(AP)