Iran to finance Syria's war efforts; Syria to refrain from peace talks with Israel

Sirotnikov · July 21, 2007, 12:32

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...427962,00.html

Iran to fund Syrian arms deals - report

Report says Ahmadinejad, Assad signed agreement according to which Syria will not enter peace talks with Israel in return for military assistance from Islamic Republic, including funding of future arms deals with Russia, North Korea

Roee Nahmias

An Iranian source told the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper that during their meeting in Damascus last Thursday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Syrian President Bashar Assad agreed to boost military and political relations between the two countries.

According to the report, published Saturday, Tehran will help Syria fund future arms deals with North Korea and Russia, set up military plants there and back Syria on the Lebanon issue. In return, Assad promised Ahmadinejad to refrain from entering peace talks with Israel.

The two leaders signed a comprehensive agreement on strategic cooperation between Tehran and Damascus, according to which Iran will transfer a billion dollars to Syria for the purchase of 400 advanced T-72 Russian tanks, 18 MiG-31 warplanes, eight Sukhoi fighter jets and eight Mikoyan helicopters.

In addition, Iran will help Syria set up a mid-range missile manufacturing plant and equip the Syrian army with Iranian-made armored vehicles and tanks.

The deal states that the Syrian navy will receive C-801 and C-802 missiles, which were developed by China and are currently being produced also in Iran, as well as training for its air force and navy officers in Iran. Tehran will also assist Syria in developing a nuclear research program and advance its biological weapons capabilities.

'Summer will bring victories'

During the Second Lebanon War an Iranian-made C-802 missile fired by Hizbullah terrorists struck an Israel Navy missile boat off the Beirut shore; four Israeli crewmembers were killed in the incident.

In return for Iran’s military assistance and its promise to back Syria on the Lebanon issue, Assad pledged not to enter peace talks with Israel. According to the agreement, Ahmadinejad will exert his influence to prevent the Lebanese parliament from convening to elect a new president to replace Emile Lahoud, who will be stepping down in the coming weeks.

Ahmadinejad also committed to continue working toward toppling Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s government.

In his meeting with Assad last Thursday, Ahmadinejad said that "Iran and Syria are allies and will remain allies".

According to him, Iran and Syria "are united against the enemies of the two countries and the region".

Asked about the possibility of another war breaking out in the region, the Iranian president replied, "We hope the summer will bring victories to the region's nations and failures to their enemies." He refused to elaborate.

On Friday the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat reported that senior Syrian officials told the Danish foreign minister, Per Stig Møller, that their country was "ready to renew negotiations with Israel under the auspices of the international Quartet".

Original article in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (english via google translate) in the post below.

Please note that Al-Sharq Al-Awsat is one of the finest arabic news sources. Though their reliance on a single Iranian source might be a bit much, since the Iranians have an interest to bolster their alliance's might.

Sirotnikov · July 21, 2007, 12:36

paste this:

Code:

http://www.asharqalawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issue=10462&article=429019

into google translate

Barnabas · July 21, 2007, 12:36

So Syria is a Vassal state of Iran?

Last Conformist · July 21, 2007, 12:42

So, in return for not entering talks it hasn't seemed notably eager for Syria gets cash for military hardware from Iran? Doesn't sound like good deal for Teheran to me ...

BeBro · July 21, 2007, 12:43

Wow, that was unexpected.

germanos · July 21, 2007, 12:56

Originally posted by Last Conformist
So, in return for not entering talks it hasn't seemed notably eager for Syria gets cash for military hardware from Iran? Doesn't sound like good deal for Teheran to me ...

Last Conformist · July 21, 2007, 12:59

Actually I'm serious. Maybe I'm more out of the loop than I thought, but on the face it does seem like Ahmadinejad got robbed.

Sirotnikov · July 21, 2007, 13:35

Actually not true.

While this hasn't come up much in international media, there has been lots of undercover talk in the past two months between Israel and Syria about possibly re-igniting peace talks on a possible settlement in the Golan Heights.

On last wedensday IIRC, Bashar gave a speech to parliament, where he talked openly that he has had contacts with Israel via messengers and that there are some negociations regarding resuming talks of a peace and saying that this is a very viable option in the immediate future.

Israel was never sure if to take his comments seriously, seeing how Syria continues to actively support and arm anti-Israeli groups (Hezbullah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad).

It appears now, that this whole ruse was just to get a better deal with Tehran.

Last Conformist · July 21, 2007, 13:38

Originally posted by Sirotnikov

It appears now, that this whole ruse was just to get a better deal with Tehran.

I don't quite follow. If it was just a ruse, surely that does mean Ahmadinejad was robbed. If OTOH Bashar was serious with Israel, but backed off because Iran's offer, then he did get something for his money.

Sirotnikov · July 21, 2007, 14:15

OK fair point.

I don't know for fact that it was a ruse, but it guess it was.

Agathon · July 21, 2007, 14:27

Now you are beginning reap the whirlwind.

Some friendly advice Siro. Move countries. Canada is nice, and has a vibrant and well-respected Jewish community.

Lancer · July 21, 2007, 19:53

Even better for Israel. Any deal with Syria that gives them back the Golan is a bad deal.

This giving stuff away on the part of Iran sets them up as arab leader and will make more moderate states rethink their deals with Israel. That said, all those Iranian & Russian made armored vehicles will give the IDF some much needed target practice.

Sirotnikov · July 21, 2007, 20:08

Aggie - thanks for the advice.

It remains to be seen if this article has any credibility. It could be taking things out of proportion, as arab newspapers often do.

Anyways, I'm more likely to fight my ground that to flee.

I'm more likely to leave Israel due to the corruption and disgraceful politics leading to an economy that abuses the working middle class while creating a class of non-employed leechers.

A working person in Israel pays almost 45% tax and sponsors about 1.7 people.

Lancer · July 21, 2007, 20:10

Socialism

Sirotnikov · July 21, 2007, 20:10

Originally posted by Lancer
Even better for Israel. Any deal with Syria that gives them back the Golan is a bad deal.

also true.
the golan is sweet

This giving stuff away on the part of Iran sets them up as arab leader and will make more moderate states rethink their deals with Israel. That said, all those Iranian & Russian made armored vehicles will give the IDF some much needed target practice.

yes but they aren't the real threat.

commando units with ruski anti tank missiles are.
and so are ruski / iranian missiles.

LordShiva · July 21, 2007, 20:11

Originally posted by Sirotnikov
I'm more likely to leave Israel due to the corruption and disgraceful politics leading to an economy that abuses the working middle class while creating a class of non-employed leechers.

A working person in Israel pays almost 45% tax and sponsors about 1.7 people.

Now you're tempting Aggie to move there.

Heresson · July 22, 2007, 11:59

Well, it's Israel talks. Syria proposed talks with Israel, but Israel insisted on Syria abandoning Iran first, which it obviously it could not do, because it would mean loss of the only ally. Israel wanted Syria on its knees, and willingly or not it's pushed Damascus even further into Teheran's embrace.

DinoDoc · July 22, 2007, 12:19

Why is Syria allied with Iran anyway? It doesn't seem like a natural one given the religious differences between the two.

SlowwHand · July 22, 2007, 12:26

Name something that IS normal over there.

Heresson · July 22, 2007, 12:52

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Why is Syria allied with Iran anyway? It doesn't seem like a natural one given the religious differences between the two.

huh? Syria may be majorli sunni, but the ruling elite is shia. Of course, it is alawi, precisely, while Iran is 12-imam shia, but oh well.
But yes, it is not quite natural. Syria is in general a secular country, while Iran is not quite the same. They keep together due to Israel mostly and its support by USA.

DinoDoc · July 22, 2007, 13:06

What do they get out of the alliance? AFAIK, they loose any real chance of getting the Golan back from it. Which is strange since Israel has demonstrated that it is willing to give back land as Egypt found out.

Heresson · July 22, 2007, 13:43

Syria is desperately looking for any supporting states. Iran is not only a reassurance that Syria is not completely alone in the region, and will get help if Israel or USA attacks, but it also is, I may surmise, handy in internal affairs. Alawis are always in danger of revolt of sunni fundamentalism. By alliance with Hizb Allah and Iran, Syria puts itself in the avanguarde of fight against Israel, which sorts of ventils the disilusion with Baathist rule. Also,l while I am not sure, Syria had state of emergency running for 40 years or so, which helps Baathist rule. Now ending state of war with Israel would mean end of excuse for that. It makes me wonder if Syria is actually interested in peace. Peace of Israel, if was not completely successful, could undermine irs rulers. The same unsuccessful peace talks may be a danger to them.
I am wondering about something else. You know, there are always flags, posters of Bashshar al-Asad and his family on the streats for sale. During the war of Lebanon, they were mostly superseded by Nasr Allah and flags of Hizb Allah. Nothing wrong, but I wonder if popularity of Hizb Allah is not dangerous for Asads in the long run. Just a thought.

Sirotnikov · July 23, 2007, 11:11

H

LordShiva · July 23, 2007, 11:14

Originally posted by Sirotnikov
H

QFT

Agathon · July 23, 2007, 11:25

Originally posted by Sirotnikov
Aggie - thanks for the advice.

It wasn't facetious. I met quite a number of Israelis in the past couple of years (one in my building who I helped move his stuff, lots at school) who've transplanted themselves to Canada.

They all say one of either two things:

(1) They are personally disgusted with what Israel has become with regard to the Palestinians (i.e. straight out political reasons).

(2) They believe that Israel is on borrowed time, and it would be better to leave now and beat the rush (i.e. fear).

Think of Canada though. Montreal has a really old Jewish community. Toronto's is less venerable, but pretty vibrant. You'll be able to find lots of familiar foods and kosher groceries in either city and there are plenty of community organizations.

Now you're tempting Aggie to move there.

lord of the mark · July 23, 2007, 11:44

Originally posted by Agathon

It wasn't facetious. I met quite a number of Israelis in the past couple of years (one in my building who I helped move his stuff, lots at school) who've transplanted themselves to Canada.

They all say one of either two things:

(1) They are personally disgusted with what Israel has become with regard to the Palestinians (i.e. straight out political reasons).

(2) They believe that Israel is on borrowed time, and it would be better to leave now and beat the rush (i.e. fear).

Thats odd, of the Israelis I know who live here, it almost always had to do with their careers, economic standard of living, etc. Their politics is rarely more to the left than standard Labour party.

Israelis have been leaving Israel, for decades. Theyve also returned, many of them. The idea that yordeh is a sign of the ship sinking is silly, if it were the ship would have sunk decades ago.

lord of the mark · July 23, 2007, 11:47

Originally posted by Agathon

Think of Canada though. Montreal has a really old Jewish community. Toronto's is less venerable, but pretty vibrant. You'll be able to find lots of familiar foods and kosher groceries in either city and there are plenty of community organizations.

If you move to DC, you can probably find familiar food, at least if you find Salvadoran food and Korean Barbecue familiar. I dont know that you'd find a vibrant New Zealander community, but youd find lots of people speaking unintelligibly about all sorts of very old documents.

Sirotnikov · July 23, 2007, 11:59

Originally posted by Agathon
It wasn't facetious. I met quite a number of Israelis in the past couple of years (one in my building who I helped move his stuff, lots at school) who've transplanted themselves to Canada.

Oh, yes I know.

I didn't take it as an insult.

They all say one of either two things:

(1) They are personally disgusted with what Israel has become with regard to the Palestinians (i.e. straight out political reasons).

(2) They believe that Israel is on borrowed time, and it would be better to leave now and beat the rush (i.e. fear).

I admit there are stupid things we do in regards to the palestinians, but I don't think we're truly evil. Lots of abuses occur for different reasons, and that will always happen in such a situation.

I think that Israel might be on borrowed time due to inner political reasons. There are 3 scary minorities that are ever rising.

1) the Northern Islamic movement of Israeli Arabs
2) the anti-zionist Ultra Othodox jewry, that is abusing and draining the Israeli society.
3) the ultra-zionist messianic orthodox settler movement, that uses democratic means to undermine democracy and can make a future peace solution impossible.

All of those are threats on economy and my quality of life.

Think of Canada though. Montreal has a really old Jewish community. Toronto's is less venerable, but pretty vibrant. You'll be able to find lots of familiar foods and kosher groceries in either city and there are plenty of community organizations.

Yes I know.

Jews in the diaspora are always more successful. Something about all of us coming together that makes it bad.

lord of the mark · July 23, 2007, 12:54

"The two leaders signed a comprehensive agreement on strategic cooperation between Tehran and Damascus, according to which Iran will transfer a billion dollars to Syria for the purchase of 400 advanced T-72 Russian tanks, 18 MiG-31 warplanes, eight Sukhoi fighter jets and eight Mikoyan helicopters."

Sounds liket the Sov - er, Russians, are offering bargain prices. Doesnt a front line modern fighter go for about $50 million? Which would mean $900 million just for the Migs, but then there are the sukhois, the tanks, and the choppers. All for only a billion. (plus frequent buyer points maybe?)

Or maybe this is disinfo. If Syria has reason to engage in talks with Israel to put pressure on Iran, by the same token it has reason to engage in talks with Iran, to put pressure for a better deal with Israel and the West.