Israel trying to stop anti-aircraft missile deal between Russia and Syria

[Minstrel Boy]

Israel trying to stop anti-aircraft missile deal between Russia and Syria

11:16 AM EST Jan 12

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel is trying to halt a weapons deal under which Russia agreed to supply advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Syria, fearing they could fall into the hands of Lebanese guerrillas, Israeli officials said Wednesday.

Asked about the deal, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said: "We have close contacts with the Russians. We had consultations over the past few days, and we hope to reach the necessary agreement."

The United States is aware of the growing crisis between Russia and Israel, the officials said, and Israel may get Washington directly involved to halt the sale of Igla SA-18s to Syria, they said.

The Igla SA-18s are one of the most sophisticated shoulder-held anti-aircraft missiles available. Because of their simplicity, light weight and a built-in training system, they are also an ideal weapon for militants, military analysts said.

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/050112/w011218.html

[Union Thug]

1. Poor babies. But they're cool with all the US provided

war machines that compose their own military. I guess they hate the competition.

[yinkaafrica]

2. Putin is having all the fun

[Old and In the Way]

3. Remember when we supplied Stingers to the Mujahadeen (sp?)?

Deja vu all over again...

"The Igla SA-18s are one of the most sophisticated shoulder-held anti-aircraft missiles available. Because of their simplicity, light weight and a built-in training system, they are also an ideal weapon for militants, military analysts said."

Looks like a balancing of power re-developing in the ME.....

[bemildred]

4. U.S. demands Russia cancel proposed missiles sale to Syria

The United States is demanding Russia cancel its proposed sale of missiles to Syria, warning that it will consider imposing sanctions against Moscow should the deal go ahead, Israel Radio reported Wednesday.

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Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov visited Israel on Wednesday and discussed with government officials a recent crisis between Moscow and Jerusalem over reported Russian plans to sell Syria missiles capable of striking targets within Israel

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According to the report, the Iskander-E missile has a target radius capable of reaching nearly all of Israel, including the nuclear reactor site outside Dimona.

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Political sources in Jerusalem Tuesday denied the Channel 2 news report that the reason for the diplomatic crisis is Putin's anger over alleged intervention in the Ukrainian elections by people in Israel, and their support for his political rivals. The political sources said the problem stemmed from something completely different which concerns Russia's conduct.

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/526031.html

[Just Me]

12. *LOL* threatening sanctions,...against Russia? Geez. eom

[bemildred]

5. Assad to visit Russia

MOSCOW - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will pay a four-day visit to Russia on January 24 for talks with President Vladimir Putin despite furious protests in Israel, a source in Moscow said on Wednesday.

Assad's talks with Putin will be held in Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg, the Kremlin chief's native city, the source said.

The historic visit has already provoked fury in the Israeli government, according to the Israeli media.

Israeli public radio reported that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had already consulted with Washington over a rapid heightening of tension of the Jewish state's relations with Russia.

Middle East Online

[Walt Starr]

6. What a bunch of whiners

We supply Israel with weapons. Too bad if Russia supplies syria with weapons. This is the Free Market in action!

[wuushew]

8. One slight difference

We supply aid to Israel which is then in turn used to buy various weapons systems. It is in essence a direct transfer of wealth from the U.S. taxpayer to defense contractors.

Syria I assume is using its own money to buy Russian equipment at fair market prices. Strange that true conservatives and libertarians in this country do not speak up more vocally on Israel's interference with market forces.

[Walt Starr]

10. It's communism, I tell ya!

Daring to try and stop a market driven economy from proceeding!

[ozone_man]

15. As long as they're doing our bidding, it's OK.

It's all about oil.

We do not have free markets. Yes, you would think Libertarians and "real" Republicans would be more alarmed.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

21. excellent points

:thumbsup:

[Behind the Aegis]

7. I wonder

How will people feel when these weapons are shuffled across the border to Iraq and more of our aircraft are brought to the ground? Syria is not a friendly nation, but they have tried to stay out of the mess going on over there. I wonder how long that will last.

[The Stranger]

9. Syria is not a friendly nation . . .

Syria is not a friendly nation . . .

. . . . to whom? She poses no threat to the U.S.

[wuushew]

13. Syria was quite helpful in the aftermath of 9/11

sharing information from their own quite capable intelligence agencies. To bad Bush went on to threaten and insult them in the buildup and aftermath of Iraq.

[Walt Starr]

11. Syria has a right to protect their homeland as any sovereign nation

to turn a phrase that is oft repeated.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. Totally agree!

I have no issue with them protecting themselves. Put their history of suppling terrorists groups is well-known. If they keep the arms for themselves, fine. I just worry that they may be "auctioned off."

[yinkaafrica]

17. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter

It should not be left up to the US and Israel to decide who should and who should not be allowed to defend themselves against an
illegal occupying force. Particularly since both countries
make trade in this business.

[Behind the Aegis]

20. over used phrase

Although, in essence, it may hold some truth. Generally, a terrorist is easy to distinguish from a freedom fighter. And, I don't see either the US or Israel deciding who should not be allowed to defend themselves from an occupying force, since Syria is not occupied! If Syria wishes to keep the weapons to protect their borders, more power to them! But, I guess it really doesn't matter. Sides switch so quickly in that area, and in the world-arena, it is hard to tell who is for what anymore.

[petron]

16. Looks like Israel was aggravating another giant just last month

Check this out:

http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=956


Drone Tug-o-War Brings Chinese Dep. PM to Jerusalem, Involves Rumsfeld

DEBKAfileÕs Diplomatic and Military Exclusive

December 27, 2004, 11:29 PM (GMT+02:00)

High-ranking Tang Jiaxuan comes to Israel to retrieve Chinese UARs

Chinese deputy prime minister, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, flew in to Israel secretly Saturday night, December 25. His mission: to recover an unspecified number of Israel-built Harpy unmanned aerial attack vehicles sent back for overhaul or upgrade and held back by Israel at WashingtonÕs insistence.

<snip>

According to DEBKAfileÕs Far East and Washington sources, Beijing hit the ceiling when it learned that the White House had exacerbated the Chinese drone crisis by shifting it from lower Pentagon ranks to defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld in person. The file was also passed to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

<snip>

What are the Israelis thinking?

[yinkaafrica]

18. More dirty pool from the Satanic duo

I guess when you are trouble makers you have to make trouble.

[alexisfree]

19. Isareal is such a war hogger. i hope russia doesnt back down

They are always sticking their noses in other peoples business.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

22. it looks like

they really are tapping into that old Cold War. who was it that's really an "expert" in the russians, oh that's right, yeah it looks like she cant catch the most wanted person in the world and has decided to pick yet another distraction.

to think we would move on beyond the bullshit US vs the Commies RAH-RAH-FLAGS-EAGLES for a century or so, we were so naive.

I want the big dog back so bad. goddamn it.