Bolivia’s Morales decides to go ahead with purchase of presidential plane from Russia

Bolivia to buy presidential plane from Russia

LA PAZ, Bolivia — President Evo Morales says Bolivia has decided to buy a presidential plane from Russia after Moscow offered to set up an aircraft maintenance center in the South American nation.

Defense Minister Walker San Miguel announced in early August that Bolivia had agreed to purchase an Antonov presidential plane with satellite phone, Internet links and a meeting room from Russia for $30 million.

Morales postponed the purchase, but said his government has now decided to buy it because of the offer to set up a service center for Russian planes in Bolivia.

Morales said Saturday the offer from President Dmitry Medvedev was delivered to him by Russia’s ambassador.

The current presidential plane is U.S.-made Sabre jet from the 1970s.