Russia and Peru sign chopper repair deal

LIMA, Peru (AP) - Russian President Dimitry Medvedev agreed Monday to send technicians to train Peru's military to repair Russian-made helicopters. Medvedev and Peru President Alan Garcia announced the program after a weekend summit of Pacific Rim leaders in Peru's capital. The technicians will work in military hangars in Lima and could lend their services to nearby countries that have Russian choppers, according to Peruvian Defense Minister Antero Flores-Araoz.  A large part of Peru's helicopter fleet was purchased from Russia in the 1970s by Peru's military government. Peru previously sent helicopters to Russia for maintenance. The defense minister said the two sides still have to work out the cost, financing and launch date for the program.  Venezuela is a major purchaser of Russian arms and is planning to begin joint operations in the Caribbean with the Russian navy this week.  Flores-Araoz said Peru is not and has never considered hosting a U.S. military base on its territory. The U.S. lease on the Manta air base in Ecuador, its only base in South America, expires in 2009.