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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Report: Syria agrees to hide Iran nukes |
| 2005-12-20 |
| Can you say "axis"? I knew you could... Syria has signed a pledge to store Iranian nuclear weapons and missiles. The London-based Jane's Defence Weekly reported that Iran and Syria signed a strategic accord meant to protect either country from international pressure regarding their weapons programs. The magazine, citing diplomatic sources, said Syria agreed to store Iranian materials and weapons should Teheran come under United Nations sanctions. Iran also pledged to grant haven to any Syrian intelligence officer indicted by the UN or Lebanon. Five Syrian officers have been questioned by the UN regarding the Hariri assassination, Middle East Newsline reported. "The sensitive chapter in the accord includes Syria's commitment to allow Iran to safely store weapons, sensitive equipment or even hazardous materials on Syrian soil should Iran need such help in a time of crisis," Jane's said. The accord also obligated Syria to continue to supply the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah with weapons, ammunition and communications. Iran has been the leading weapons supplier to Hizbullah, with about 15,000 missiles and rockets along the Israeli-Lebanese border. The accord, negotiations of which began in 2004, was signed on Nov. 14 and meant to prepare for economic sanctions imposed on either Iran or Syria. Under the accord, Jane's said, Iran would relay financial aid to Syria in an effort to ease Western sanctions in wake of the UN determination that Damascus was responsible for the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Iran also pledged to supply a range of military aid to Syria. Jane's cited technology for weapons of mass destruction as well as conventional arms, ammunition and training of Syrian military. Teheran would seek to upgrade Syrian ballistic missiles and chemical weapons systems. Under the accord, Iran would also be prepared to operate "advanced weapon systems in Syria during a military confrontation." Jane's said. "The new strategic accord is based on the existing military MoUs, with the addition of the sensitive chapter dealing with cooperation in times of international sanctions or military conflict," Jane's reported. |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #11 Iran would also be prepared to operate "advanced weapon systems in Syria during a military confrontation." That's going to sit well in Israel. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2005-12-20 23:26 |
| #10 #2. My first thought, Pilot, when I read the headline. Great minds, same channel, etc. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2005-12-20 22:33 |
| #9 D_P_A: Point taken, but this is Jane's, not Debka. Yesterday's reported release of Dr. Germ and Mrs. Anthrax signals the closing act of the Iraq War. Syria and Iran must come next. |
| Posted by: Rory B. Bellows 2005-12-20 20:08 |
| #8 The sources are unnamed. This is bs... |
| Posted by: Damn_Proud_American 2005-12-20 18:42 |
| #7 Baby-I-Doc is that stupid. He's got to know that both we, and the Israleis have a microwave-a-mullah weapon at the ready that can be "diverted" on a side trip to Damascus, if need be... He just has so much beravado in his miniscule bedouin soul, that he thinks, like the man on trial in Baghdad, that he is impervious to any and all forms of justice... |
| Posted by: BigEd 2005-12-20 17:53 |
| #6 It's difficult to believe that Ass |
| Posted by: Zenster 2005-12-20 16:54 |
| #5 Their plan should work less well if both countries are sanctioned. I guess this does demonstrate that Shia and Sunni can work together. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2005-12-20 16:04 |
| #4 This is one of those key treaty agreements that are always cited by historians as a turning point prior to... |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-12-20 15:24 |
| #3 Syria has signed a pledge to store Appears to be something of a pattern in development here. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2005-12-20 14:50 |
| #2 "Just 'put em over there boys...that's it, right next Saddam's old WMD's. He won't be needin' them anymore." |
| Posted by: Intrinsicpilot 2005-12-20 14:48 |
| #1 Look for more of these "revelations" as pressure continues to build on these two countries. Also, look for the NoKos to continue to rachet things up a few notches as pressure builds on Iran and Syria. There appears to be a three-way symbiotic relationship. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-12-20 14:33 |