IMRA Newsletter
Russia denies Syrian Arms Deal
13 January 2005
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/526585.html
Russia denied Thursday it was in talks with Syria over arms sales after media reports on Wednesday that Israel was trying to stop Moscow selling missiles to Damascus.
"We do not have any negotiations with Syria on the possible shipment of such missiles," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters during a visit to Washington.
Ivanov suggested Israeli and Russian media reports about Israel's opposition to an arms deal were due to speculation over the agenda for an upcoming trip of the Syrian leader to Russia.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom did not confirm details of the Jewish state's reported moves to stop any Russian-Syrian negotiations but told reporters: "We held discussions on this here among ourselves a few days ago. We hope to reach the necessary understandings with the Russian government."
Israel, U.S. pressure Russia on arms deal with Syria
Israel is asking Russia not to supply Syria with advanced shoulder launched surface-to-air SA-18 missiles, known as Igla, which Russia has promised to sell to Damascus. The defense establishment is concerned that Syria may transfer the missiles to Hezbollah, which in turn, may give the missiles to a Palestinian terror group that could threaten aircraft taking off and landing at Ben Gurion Airport.
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday expressed strong opposition to the missile deal, and hinted at threats of sanctions on Syria should the deal take place. Spokesman Richard Boucher said Washington is against the sale of deadly military equipment to Syria, a state that shelters terrorists.
The sale has been the focus of a simmering dispute between Israel and Russia that has developed over recent months as it became evident that Moscow was leaning toward supplying the missiles to Damascus. Syrian President Bashar Assad is due in Moscow in two weeks, and hopes to sign a contract for the deal at the time. Syria would pay for the missiles with oil profits.
Israeli government sources said Wednesday night that Jerusalem is trying to prevent the deal from taking place, but will not do anything to damage ties with Russia. They said Israel has a clear interest in maintaining a good relationship with Russia.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov, who was here as an observer for Sunday's Palestinian elections, met with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom Tuesday, and the two discussed the missile issue. Shalom emphasized that Syria supports terror and routinely transfers weapons to Hezbollah. "The entire world is isolating Syria. That's what France and the United States are doing. Why should you behave differently?" Shalom asked. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also sent a similar message to the Russians through a separate channel.
The defense establishment is particularly worried about the possibility that Syria would transfer the shoulder-launched missiles to Hezbollah, thereby creating a deterrent against Israeli planes near the border. Furthermore, Hezbollah, which has become deeply involved in Palestinian terror, could transfer the missiles to a West Bank terror organization that would be able to threaten aircraft taking off and landing at Ben Gurion Airport.
The SA-18 can hit planes flying as high as 3,500 meters at a range of 5-8 kilometers.
However, a security establishment source said that the missile sale would not represent a change in the strategic threat Israel faces, Israel Radio reported Thursday . According to the source, the army operates under the assumption that the Hezbollah already posseses such weapons.