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.
Well in any case, we need to call him to task here. If he is serious about the WOT, then no more weapons help to Syria (or to: Iran, Myanmar, DPRK, Cuba, etc).
Maybe so, maybe money and resources were offered by the West. That doesn't motivate tens of thousands of people to dress in orange and camp in the freezing cold to claim their victory. Money from the West is advertising at best. The hearts of The People drove this victory.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Putin wishing for the glory of Russia. They deserve a little glory. They have been around a lot longer than we have, and they have come a long way since cold war days.
Does anybody know if we can block Russia's entry into the WTO ?
They have been around a lot longer ? LOL 1989 they had a total collapse and we bailed them out from having millions of people starve to death. Get real !
Russia must be selling them more than we know about.
how bout, treat France and Germany with caution, give them a good opportunity to accept the president that WAS elected TWICE here, as something other than an aberration... and start tightening the screws on Moscow and Beijing, who are both more 'cold war' than they were during the Other President Bush's only term?
France's anti-hegemony bunk is bunk.
Their leadership's involvement with sadaam, reprehensible...
Moreso for Germany.
but I sense they COULD be turned around, in an election or two. After all, NOBODY does revolution against their own government, like the French!!! But Russia?
Vlad 'baby' Putin, is somewhat concerning.
Old KGB habits seem to be hard to break. His lack of response to the atrocity of Beslan is strange. The french at least saw the wisdom in putting an end to the head scarf of islam.
Putin has done nothing of note against the terrorists who did the beslan massacre. I find that strange.
Syria already has Russian supplied missiles. They have been there for many years. SCUDS and FROG.
Try a history book. Look further back than 1989.
"To me, Russia has a lot more to lose long-term by making buddy buddy with China and helping arm them."
The real issue is will china risk a war with a nuclear power over the 'nothern resource area,' given that so far their leadership has demonstrated a clear appreciation of MAD.
If you assume they won't, then russia shud be selling as much as they can to them, and getting as much penetration into what will become the greatest market in the world."
Correct. When I say long-term I mean the next four to five decades. China is already facing drastic water and energy shortages because of their rapid growth in the five years of really opening up their markets. As this accelerates over decades and they become stronger militarily, they could become like a Japan of WWII.
Just look into his soul. Everything will be fine.
Your points are good. As always, rare to see a country with enough central control AND economic security to be able to plan its short AND long term interests concurrently. We certainly cannot, Russia doesn't seem to be (they need cash), but in many ways China CAN.
"but in many ways China CAN."
Very true.
I dunno. Ask the President.
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