Posted on 01/21/2005 4:34:56 AM PST by anotherview
Last Update: 21/01/2005 13:29
Russia slams U.S. for accusing Syria of terror ties
By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent, and Reuters
Russia criticized the United States on Friday for accusing Syria of having ties to terrorism, saying such an approach would harm security in the Middle East. "It's well known that slapping labels on countries and unilaterally describing certain states as part of the 'axis of evil' has not improved anyone's security," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told Interfax news agency.
"Syria is one of the key players in the region and resumption of talks with Israel on the Syrian question is important in the context of the Middle East peace process," Yakovenko said ahead of a visit to Moscow by Syrian President Bashar Assad next week.
U.S. Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice has warned Syria it faces new sanctions because of its suspected interference in Iraq and ties to terrorism.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that Israel is opposed to having Moscow supply advanced SA-18 shoulder missiles to Syria.
In the first conversation between the leaders in months, Sharon said the missile deal endangered Israel's security and the leadership of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).
Israel is concerned that the missiles will find their way from Syria to Hezbollah, putting Israel Air Force planes and even civilian aircraft at risk.
Sharon told Putin that Syria and Hezbollah were encouraging terror against Israeli targets, both in Lebanon and by means of Palestinian terror organizations. He said Syria and Hezbollah are the main challenges facing the new Palestinian government.
Putin did not respond to Sharon's plea, sources said, though Moscow has previously denied plans to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Damascus.
Russia and the United States are already at odds over Moscow's nuclear cooperation with Iran, accused by Washington of seeking to acquire illegal atomic arms.
Washington sees Syria as a sponsor of terrorism and has demanded that Damascus stop insurgents and money from entering Iraq ahead of this month's elections. Syria denies this.
Oh, really? Try this quote:
Former Soviet dissident Vladimir Bukovsky, 61, remembered Reagan fondly for his humor and his toughness. "His phrase, 'evil empire,' became a household word in Russia," said Bukovsky, who now lives in Cambridge, England. "Russians like a straightforward person, be he enemy or friend. They despise a wishy-washy person."Doesn't work, huh?
That phrase is a sarcastic slam on those that through ignorance or selfishness aid the enimies purpose.
Putin has clearly decided that the future of Russia lies in it's ability to forge an anti US alliance with China. The two have recently announced military agreements, including joint exercises, and I think Putin sees a close partnership as a way for Russia to regain it's clout on the world stage. It will take a decade or two for this to play out, unless the matter of Taiwan brings a crisis to a head. However, I think as long as Bush is President, China will not push that issue. They will wait to see if the US selects a weakling like Kerry in 2008 before making a military move on Taiwan.
Hey Ivan...STFUsky!
Russia isn't supporting terrorism, far from it. It's all business. Syria is a valued and lucrative client who buys things with cash. That's all it is. Russia is assuming that Syrian terrorists won't target Russian interests. They could be wrong.
Gee, I guess hosting and supporting the Hizbullah in its attacks against Israel, or having the HQ of HAMAS in Syria's capitol city has nothing to do with terrorism?
Russia is increasingly full of Shi'ite I guess, and is dancing to the demands of the fears of terror. But even if you dress a bear in a tu-tu, it never becomes a pretty woman, just a dancing bear.
More and more nations are becoming sockpuppets to Islam. The mouth moves, but the statements are from the Arabs.
Russia has supported internation terrorism in various ways since way back during Khrushchev's time at least. Russia, the Soviet Union, whatever they called themselves at a particular time, has never been a real ally and friend of the USA. At best, there was a temporary arrangment of mutual convenience between them and us, like WW 2. Just like Saudi Arabia and the US - there are temporary arrangements only when a third power is a greater threat to both. Putin is a neo-Stalinist wannabe, after all, he is ex-KGB.
Here we go again, same old method of operation out of that bear nation. Always using another people, country, nation to keep themselves hidden in stirring up trouble.
You seem to have me mixed up with one of the people posting comments. My one and only comment before this (#1) states clearly that I think Russia *IS* supporting terrorism.
On this issue we are on the same side.
I'm beginning to think Russians are hopeless.
Indirectly as in they do not send money or arms directly to Hamas or Hizbullah or al-Qaida. They support governments who in turn support terrorists. As such it is indirect, as opposed to direct, support. That doesn't make it any less heinous, though.
So, as one of the Key sponsors to terrorism in the Middle East, I find Russias comments to be as accurate and as valuable as the Islamic comments. Just brim full of Shi'ite of a different flavor.
Indeed, and the presense of a lot of gold seems to appeal to its barbaric side.
I wonder how much of russian posture on topics like this going forward is going to be influenced by what they perceive as the west hijacking the ukraine election, which they DO consider their traditional sphere of influence (and they are correct, at least until now).
ROFL - right, Hamas has their office on main street in Damascus but Syria has no terrorist ties - Putin is an idiot. The day Syria installs Russian missiles Damascus will soon thereafter be utterly and totally destroyed, probably by Israel - hopefully sooner rather than later...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.