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| Russian expert defends arms sale to Syria |
| 2005-01-12 |
| A leading Russian expert Wednesday defended the controversial new sale of missiles to Syria, Interfax news agency reported. The expansion of Russia's arms trade with Syria was beneficial for Moscow and did not violate international norms, said Vladimir Anokhin, vice President of the Russian Academy for Geopolitical Problems. The development of military-technical cooperation with such countries as Syria benefits Russia and does not threaten the security of third countries, he told Interfax, while commenting on media reports of Israeli anxiety over possible deliveries of Russian Iskander-E missile systems to Syria. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz Wednesday quoted Israeli military officials as expressing concern that the missiles would get into the hands of Hezbollah and disrupt the military balance in the Middle East, Interfax said. Haaretz said the missile has a target radius capable of reaching nearly all of Israel within its range, only the southern Negev and Eilat would be out of range. Therefore the Israeli leadership will attempt to solve the matter through direct talks with Moscow, Haaretz said. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 Russia to Syria to Chechnya to Russia again. Otherwise known as the "bite you in the ass" option. Works for me. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-01-12 11:31:54 PM |
| #1 Russia's utterly mercenary posture had better be toned down in the immediate future if they wish to avoid being identified as a supporter of nations that sponsor terrorism. Even after Beslan, Russia continues its "eyes shut tight" stance about Iran's sponsorship of Islamic terrorism and their nuclear aspirations. Syria's willing participation in the attacks-by-proxy upon Israel makes any sale of such advanced weapons to that nation a general statement of anti-Semitism. Mossad should be given free reign to sabotage all and sundry Russian interests should the Kremlin continue to pursue such an ill thought out revenue source. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2005-01-12 11:19:37 PM |