Brazilian President: Russian Su-35 Stands Good Chance Of Winning Tender For Aircraft Supplies To Brazil's Af

Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso believes that the Russian SU-35 plane stands a good chance of winning the tender for aircraft supplies to Brazil's Air Force. The President made it clear in an exclusive RIA interview ahead of his official visit to Russia, to start January 13. "When the tender was declared, people thought the game would be played with marked cards: since France's Dasso group holds a stake in the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, the result of the tender is predetermined, they reasoned. But that is not true. We are above all interested in technologies," Mr. Cardoso said in reply to a question about the likelihood of Russia winning the tender not just to sell a batch of its SU-35 planes, but to transfer relevant assembly technologies, as well. "We are not in for a war, and not in a hurry to buy aircraft. But we are really interested in technologies, as almost all of them have a double function and can be used effectively for peaceful purposes [as well as military ones]," the Brazilian President pointed out. "The final decision will be made on the basis of objective prerequisites, and is sure to be clear of any hidden political motive. The main criterion will be an obvious benefit for our country," Mr. Cardoso concluded.