Russia denies Syrian missiles deal

[leftchick]

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9749B19A-86D1-4BAC-AAFB-5D366492A499.htm

Russia has denied it has any plans to sell missiles to Syria amid media reports and the US cautioning Moscow that such a move could invite sanctions.


US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher on Wednesday said Washington could consider sanctions against Russia if the reported sale of the sophisticated SS-26 Iskander missiles with ability to hit any target in Israel goes through.

"The US policy on this is very clear," Boucher said. "We are against the sale of weaponry to Syria, against the sale of lethal military equipment to Syria, which is a state sponsor of terrorism."

He said the US was aware of reports a deal was brewing and "we think those kinds of sales are not appropriate... The Russians know about this policy. They know about our views."

But Russia denied it had any such plans.

[theresistance]

1. This is typical of America...

What right does America have of even interfering in such a transaction between sovereign countries? I just don't believe this attitude.

[Name removed]

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[UL_Approved]

2. Classic politics

For all those keeping up with Russia, I have to ask the question:

Is Russia gearing up to war with the U.S.?

[theresistance]

3. Is that based on anything particular?

But Russia would be smart to be ready...

[UL_Approved]

4. Its based on a few occurrences

This development, and the Yukos oil takeover are a couple of big indicators. Nationalizing oil interests and supplying arms to combat Israel hint at some plans for conflict.

[SweetLeftFoot]

5. Igla

Russia is also going to be supply Iglas to Syria. Were they to find their way to the resistance in Iraq, it would be very ugly.

[Massachusetts]

6. A classic case of

"the pot calling the kettle black"

[leftchick]

7. The US and the idiot* do that a LOT!

Daily.

[yinkaafrica]

8. That SS-26 Iskander missile is just what Syria needs

Looks like a pretty amazing unit. I hope Syria gets all they can
possibly use - nuclear warhead retrofitted units as well.
If they can get enough super weapons it
might help convince hard liners from the US and Israel it is time to make peace in the Middle East.
Al-Asad is no idiot, I think this is a done deal.
And it looks like Russia and Syria ain't telling.
That will keep the US guessing: do they or don't they?

[Guns Aximbo]

9. February

They're next. Then Iran.

[ckramer]

10. "Putin is our good friend!"

[theresistance]

11. Don't forget that Putin is very pro-American...

although at times he tries to exert some independence, e.g. when he meekly warned the West not to "interfere" in the Ukraine elections. Russia should be doing a lot more to resist America's expansion throughout Central Asia and eastern Europe. 911 had the effect of allowing America to further encircle Russia and China...

[radric]

12. We shouldn't interfere with the possibilty of such a sale...

since it's a minor thing anyway. Not sure why Syria needs them though. Most of Syria's military might seems to have been of providing target practice and running from Israeli defense forces. Should save the money for holding real elections, as crazy a thought as that might be.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

14. I am sure that we would be quite happy if this turns out to be true,

it's just what we need... more WMD's to use as an excuse to take down another country. Spreading democracy is hard, it's hard work... but don't ask me about Uzbekistan, they were on our coalition of the coerced, so what if the dictator there likes to boil people... at least he isn't giving them electric shocks....

[Barkley]

15. The SS-26 is a logical response to Israel's Arrow missile defense.

Syria has Scud B and Scud C missiles which can target most of Israel.

The range of the SS-26 export version is about 300 km, which is roughly what the Scud B can hit.

The ss-26's advantage is that its solid fuel engines are safer and more reliable than the liquid Scud engines. Solid fueled missiles are easier to transport.

Solid fuels would make missile defense more difficult since, these missiles can be launched quicker than liquid fuel missiles.

I'm not sure of the accuracy of the SS-26 (1996) but I bet its more accurate than the Scud series (1965).
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/theater/ss-26.htm

I think Russia may be reluctant to sell the SS-26 to Syria because Syria may turn around and sell them to North Korea. Who would then reverse engineer it and sell back to Syria (or whom ever) at half the price.

Syria has had ballistic missiles since the 1970s and none of its supposed 'sponsored terrorists' has gotten any missiles from Syria.