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| Lol: Russia's arms exporter denies reported missile supplies to Iran |
| 2006-11-25 |
| (RIA Novosti) - Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport on Saturday again dismissed as false the media reports that it had begun delivering Tor M1 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. Russia undertook to supply 29 Tor M1 missiles to Iran under a $700 million contract signed at the end of last year. The United States protested the deal, which it feared could bolster the military capabilities of the Islamic Republic, classified by Washington as a "rogue state" and part of "the axis of evil." Russia has been maintaining that the contract for the supply of Tor M1 missiles to Iran was concluded in line with international law and that the system was intended for defense only. Nikolai Dimidyuk, who leads Rosoboronexport's delegation to the current IndoDefense international arms show in the Indonesian capital, said: "I can affirm with 100% certainty that nothing of the kind has happened. While hunting for news, [reporters] should not forget about reality and the truth," he said, adding that the Tor M1 is a "purely defensive, low-range weapon." On Friday, a Rosoboronexport Tehran-based official also denied Tor M1 deliveries were underway. "We cannot confirm reports on the start of Tor M1 air defense missile deliveries to Iran," he told RIA Novosti. In July, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Rosoboronexport and Russian warplane maker Sukhoi for exporting arms and hardware to Iran, saying such exports violate the U.S. Nonproliferation Act of 2000. The sanctions on Sukhoi were formally lifted earlier this week as U.S. negotiators wrapped up talks on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization. The UN Security Council is considering international sanctions against Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, an activity that may potentially lead to the development of a nuclear bomb. Sanctions proposed by the EU involve a ban on the supply of nuclear material and technology, as well as missiles. Moscow, which, along with defense contracts, cooperates with Tehran on a nuclear power plant project, has repeatedly spoken against any punitive measures against Iran, insisting that the country has the right to self-defense and to a civilian nuclear program. The Tor M1, developed by Russian company Almaz Antei, is a high-precision weapon for hitting aircraft, manned or unmanned, and cruise missiles flying at an altitude of up to 10 kilometers (6 miles). It was introduced at last year's Russian aerospace show MAKS. |
| Posted by:.com |
| #3 Both FOX + CNN last night gave good insights into Russia's growing Islamist problems - FOX Guestperts said it best = HALF OR MORE of post-1991 Russia's population will be MUSLIM in our lifetime. Apparently Russia's 1989=1991 IMPLOSION wasn't enuff for Euro-centric Russians/Soviet Commies to stave off Islam. I suspect Russia will now be what POLAND = POLISH BARRIER used to be in antiquity - the line of defense between Christian Occidental Europe versus Muslim Oriental Asia. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-11-25 22:39 |
| #2 What a crappy headline. He didn't deny anything. He no-commented, and then talked about how it was only a defensive weapon. |
| Posted by: Mizzou Mafia 2006-11-25 20:04 |
| #1 Blind pigs and Russian spokesmen.... While hunting for news, [reporters] should not forget about reality and the truth |
| Posted by: Shipman 2006-11-25 09:58 |