Munitions for Syria

[derek s.langsdon]

from AFP January 11th.2012.

Cypriot authorities today released the St Vincent flagged cargo ship "Chariot" carrying tons of munitions after recieving a pledge from its Russian owners that it would NOT procees to SYRIA as originally scheduled.

The vessel had left St Petersburgh December 9th and arrived at Limassol January 10th following bad weather,it was allowed to refuel and continue to another unspecified destination.

The ship's manifest had indicated it carried between 35 to 60 tons of munitions bound for Syria and Turkey but Cypriot officials were not able inspect the cargo "due to restricted space"

Six months ago Iranian munitions which had been intercepted byCyprus at the request of the UN in 2009 and had, been stored in he open, exploded on July 11th,2011 at the Cypriot Naval Base killing six firemen and seven military personnel..

derek-L

[jainso31]

But knowing the Russians who have the "will" -most certainly will find "a way" to meet their ends.

jainso31

[jainso31]

An update on this crucial decision.

jainso31

In a defiant slap at international sanctions against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia's arms trading company, according to Russian media reports, has signed a $550 million deal to sell Syria combat training jets.
But Moscow's move may be aimed more at sending a message to Washington than with helping al-Assad.
Asked about reports of the sale Monday, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, "If it's accurate, it would be quite concerning."
"Our firm belief is that any country that is still trading in weapons and armaments with Syria really needs to think twice," Nuland said, "because they are on the wrong side of history, and those weapons can be used against innocents and have been."
The United States already is asking Moscow to explain why a Russian ship reportedly delivered munitions to Syria earlier this month in violation of European Union sanctions. Nuland said Moscow so far has not given any "clarity" on the shipment.
Two top State Department officials have raised the issue of Russian military supplies to Syria during visits to Moscow. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns discussed the issue a week ago and Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman currently is in the Russian capital, according to Nuland.

[eskimosailor]

Is this the "Cold War" all over again?
Steve

[jainso31]

Well Steve it is not looking particularly cosy-I think the US economy is currently putting the country in a bad light-hence the challenge,relatively "small" though it may be.

jainso31