Russia to Sell Advanced Missiles to Syria

Reuters ^ | 2005 Feb 16 | Maria Golovnina

[Wiz]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday it wanted to supply Syria with advanced missile systems, a move certain to anger the United States which accuses Syria of having links to terrorism.

Russia had long denied reports it wanted to sell missiles to Syria, its Cold War-era ally. The United States and Israel have urged Moscow to drop any such plans, saying Russian arms supplies would only strengthen militants in the Middle East.

"Talks are underway with this country to sell it Strelets air defense short-range missile systems," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The statement said Strelets missiles are not man-portable and can only be used when attached to a heavy vehicle -- which officials believe makes them less attractive to militants than the relatively cheap and easy-to-use shoulder-fired missiles.

Earlier this week, a senior U.S. diplomat in Moscow said the United States remained concerned over any arms trading with Syria that could lead to missile technology falling into the hands of terrorists.

[NetValue]

I think that may in itself be a hostile act on the part of Russia.

We should sell missiles to Chechnia, in return.

After all, it's all about business, right?

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I agree with you. Russia is basically spitting in our face.

[inquest]

Moscow -- already at odds with Washington over its nuclear ties to Iran -- has said U.S. terror accusations against Syria are hurting the Middle East peace process.

"Accusations"? Is Russia denying that Syria supports Hezbollah, or that Hezbollah is a terrorist outfit?

[EagleUSA]

I agree with you. Russia is basically spitting in our face.
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If anyone thinks that Russia is not a despotic nation, look again. These second-rate countries WILL DO ANYTHING to make a buck, sell to anyone, AND SELL THEM ANYTHING. OK, Washington, your move. This needs some serious attention.

[happyathome]

"These second-rate countries WILL DO ANYTHING to make a buck."

Its worse than that. Russia is emerging as a rival. The sale may be about money on the surface, but looking deeper I think they are actively trying to thwart us in the Mideast. Whether it is anger over our backing Uschenko in Ukraine or lingering anger over getting whipped by the Afghan mujaheddin, they are actively working against us.

[inquest]

Whether it is anger over our backing Uschenko in Ukraine or lingering anger over getting whipped by the Afghan mujaheddin,

Or the fact that they're still Communists working for the same goal (albeit with shifted tactics)

[EagleUSA]

Its worse than that. Russia is emerging as a rival.
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Well we are no stranger to that situation, are we ?
Is Putin trying to demonize the US, as a red herring, to take the heat off of his disfunctional leadership? It seems to be the order of the day, for second-rate countries to align with world-class losers against the world's most sucsessful free republic. Maybe he is sleeping with Chirac?

[Polak z Polski]

The only good think I can think of about this is that the SA-9 isn't the advanced missile that the media claims it is. However, it is still a relatively good missile, and can ruin any pilot's day.

Russia is really desparate to try to do something taunting, so they do this.

[pickemuphere]

And Putin seems to have hoodwinked Bush completely, utterly. Every time they're together, Bush pants after him like a little puppy. Someone needs to collectively slap this adminstration and wake them up the danger.

[Grzegorz 246]

"Maybe he is sleeping with Chirac?"

[sukhoi-30mki]

You folks are right-it's all about money & Russia is not the only nation trying to make a quick buck-

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1344242/posts

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait may buy (PAC-3)missiles from Lockheed