International   

Assad’s Russia visit to firm up military ties

DUBAI: Concerned over Israel’s links with Georgia, Russia has invited Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad to Moscow on a visit that is likely to have a prominent military dimension.

Syria’s official news agency SANA announced Mr. Assad would begin a “working visit” to Moscow on Wednesday at the invitation of Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev.

Ahead of the visit, Mr. Assad told Russia’s Kommersant daily on Wednesday that his country’s defence ties with Moscow, in the context of developments in Georgia, would be the main issue during his talks. “Of course, military and technical cooperation is the main issue. Weapons purchases are very important,” he said, adding: “I think we should speed it up. Moreover, the West and Israel continue to put pressure on Russia.”

Mr. Assad said a new situation had arisen after Moscow came across the use of Israeli military equipment by Georgia in its conflict with Russia.

“I think that in Russia and in the world everyone is now aware of Israel’s role and its military consultants in the Georgian crisis. And if before in Russia there were people who thought these forces can be friendly, then now I think no one thinks that way.”

Russia had earlier accused Israel of supplying unmanned aerial vehicles and explosives to Georgia, apart from providing it assistance to train its Army.

Speaking on the conflict between Georgia and Russia over Georgia’s breakaway republic of South Ossetia, Mr. Assad said: “On this issue we fully support Russia. The war, which was unleashed by Georgia, is the culmination of attempts to encircle and isolate Russia.”

Earlier, Iran’s Press TV, quoting Israeli media reports, said Russia planned to position the nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in Syria. The Israeli report also said Russia could also release to Iran, the advanced S-300 missiles, which had so far been withheld.

Analysts point out the release of advanced Russian military equipment to Syria and Iran is likely to dampen the sentiment of war against Tehran in U.S. political circles. Nevertheless, a large flotilla of U.S. British and French naval ships has been heading towards the Persian Gulf. The naval taskforce, believed to be largest in Gulf waters since the first Gulf War, includes the U.S. warships — Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and Iwo Jima.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

I’m staying right here, says Musharraf
Assad’s Russia visit to firm up military ties
Russia slams missile pact
Prachanda: Cabinet formation today
Pakistanis held in China
India, Nepal must join hands: Prachanda
Topless parade gridlocks New Zealand city
Cypriot dogs get their own beach
How being Bond could be scary
From the jaws of death
NATO’s quest for ‘united strategy’
Scrap metal thieves stealing road signs

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu