Russia to help repair Peru's aircraft and helicopters

President Alexandro Toledo of Peru ordered his Defense Minister Aurelio Loret de Mola to contact the Government of Russia and to discuss possible cooperation in repairing Soviet-made aircraft and helicopters. El Comercio, which is a leading Peruvian newspaper, reported December 13 that President Toledo had noted the need for establishing direct contacts with the Russian Cabinet; moreover, Toledo had stressed that all the required estimates for subsequent talks must be prepared without delay. The Peruvian leader also voiced his readiness to personally address the national Parliament for the sake of settling this issue as soon possible.

Toledo once again mentioned the deplorable state of the national air fleet, after a Cessna private plane crashed, killing four. It took several days to locate the Cessna aircraft because all helicopters were out of commission and could not therefore take off. Toledo called this situation to be something inadmissible.