Russia Slams U.S. for Accusing Syria of Terrorism

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/01/21/syriaterror.shtml

Russia has slammed the United States for accusing Syria of having ties to terrorism, criticizing it for harming security in the Middle East with such statements.

“It’s well known that slapping labels on countries and unilaterally describing certain states as part of the ’axis of evil’ has not improved anyone’s security,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko was quoted by Interfax as saying on Friday.

“Syria is one of the key players in the region and resumption of talks with Israel on the Syrian question is important in the context of the Middle East peace process.”

U.S. Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice has warned Syria it faces new sanctions because of its suspected interference in Iraq and ties to terrorism.

more

[Dickie Flatt]

1. Uh-ohhhh!

Are we going to get into a dick-waving contest with Russia now?

[MARALE]

4. I bet Condi's is bigger! n/t

[cal04]

2. Russia defends Syria against U.S. accusations

The United States was strongly condemned by Russia for accusing Syria of having ties to terrorism saying such an approach would harm security in the Middle East.

The Foreign Ministry's spokesman Alexander Yakovenko stated, "It's well known that slapping labels on countries and unilaterally describing certain states as part of the 'axis of evil' has not improved anyone's security."

"Syria is one of the key players in the region and resumption of talks with Israel on the Syrian question is important in the context of the Middle East peace process," Yakovenko said ahead of a visit to Moscow by Syrian President Bashar Assad next week.

Yakovenko's statements come in the wake of U.S. Secretary of State designate Condoleezza Rice warning to Syria that is faces new sanctions because of its suspected interference in Iraq and ties to 'terrorism'.

http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=6638

[flamin lib]

3. If you read foreign press

you'd know that Russia, China, Venezuela and India have signed agreements to share military as well as commercial assets. China is buying Russian ships, armor and planes and Russia joined China in war games on Chinese soil--the largest war games in either's history. Venezuela bought MIGs instead of F-16s signaling a cooling of US/South American relations. Russia is developing air launched missiles capable of carrying nukes as well as adding MIRVS to existing ICBMs. The stated purpose of these activities? To offer a counter to the use of American military power around the world.

China is the largest investor in US debt. If they continue to buy US debt they could collapse our economy by dumping it all at once which would precipitate other investor nations following suit. Our few remaining allies wouldn't be able to stop the crash of the $. Can you imagine what gas prices will do when oil reaches $300 a barrel? Russia and China are dallying with the EURO as their preferred currency and OPEC has made noises of pricing oil in EUROS as well. Couple all this with the stuff about the military alliances and wanting to counter the strength of the last super power and you might get a little nervous. Of course you might not--the Bush Cool Aid tastes mighty good.

It ain't paranoia if they really are out to get ya' . . .

[NNN0LHI]

5. China wants to purchase long range strategic bombers from Russia too

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=%5CForeignBureaus%5Carchive%5C200501%5CFOR20050119d.html

Russia Hints at Willingness to Sell Advanced Bombers to China

By Sergei Blagov
CNSNews.com Commentary
January 19, 2005

Moscow (CNSNews) - Russia has indicated that it may sell advanced weaponry to China, including strategic bombers that could pose a threat to U.S. aircraft carriers in the Pacific.

With China and Russia preparing to hold joint military maneuvers later this year, a top Russian military officer mentioned the possibility of selling strategic supersonic Tu-22M3 bombers, known by NATO as "Backfire," to China.

"If they've got enough money, they should buy some" of Russia's latest aircraft, Russian Air Force commander Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov said, referring to the Chinese.

In the past, Russia has refused to sell the bombers to China on the grounds that they are "too powerful." Mikhailov's statement suggested a change in Russia's position, the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency said.

Were China to acquire the Tu-22M3, armed with the latest Russian Granit cruise missiles, the bombers would be able to "threaten the Americans" in any future dispute involving Taiwan, the news agency quoted military experts as saying.

A Chinese purchase of two Tu-22M3 regiments - or up to 40 aircraft - would be enough to guarantee the destruction of a U.S. carrier group, the agency commented.

more

[Spazito]

6. but...but...but...

you forgot.....Poland! Poland counts ya know, with Poland on the US side, it'll never happen! lol

[Nite Owl]

7. His policies are really

a mess. Most people who think his war and rhetoric are so great have no idea what his bravado is doing and can do to us.

Welcome to DU btw!

[montanacowboy]

8. YUP! THEY ARE LINING UP BOYS AND GIRLS

........AGAINST US!......

MY MY WON'T THE NEOCONS SHIT THEIR BRITCHES WHEN THEY FINALLY SEE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE - UNITED THE WHOLE WORLD AGAINST US - WE MIGHT NOT LOOK TOO SUPER THEN....

[Deja Q]

9. If this is the start, why did they wait until after the election to

come out with both barrels?

[Igel]

10. My cynicism for the day has woken up.

Syria = terrorist --> Russia shouldn't sell munitions.

Russia wants to sell munitions to Syria. Then there's the whole history of Syria/Baathist + USSR history thing.

And the whole Russia-wants-to-keep-strategic-presence-in-Middle-East motive. Let's see ... Egypt was pro-USSR, but no more; Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen (hey--there's one San'a was vaguely pro-Soviet!), Iran, Bahrain, UAE ... No, it's only really Syria these days.

Syria's not terrorist because it's not in Russia's interests for it to be. Diplomacy and anything approaching morality or ethics? On Earth?

[NNN0LHI]

11. And Pakistan is not being governed by a thuggish dictator either

Why? Because it is not in the US interests to admit that. Does that make "President" Musharraf any less a dictator? Don't think so.

Don

[Igel]

12. Agreed.

It's just there's a tendency to think that everybody is altruistic except the US. Screw that.

[GHOSTDANCER]

13. Kick!!!

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[mourningdove92]

14. And Russia Shoots another shot across our bow.

Thats two now, in just this week.

[spanone]

15. These things happen when you give the world the finger.

Just the beginning.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

16. uh oh

cold-war!