Russian-Syrian Arms Deal Grave Threat to Middle East Security

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Sep 22, 2010, 04:53 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee warned that a Russian plan to sell Syria anti-ship cruise missiles in a deal worth $300 million could have grave consequences for Middle East stability.

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AJC leaders expressed their objections to the Syrian arms deal in a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, in New York last night.

"Russia's decision to sell these missiles to Syria is dangerously counterproductive to advancing Arab-Israeli peace," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Both Defense Secretary Gates and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have made their objections to this deal clear, on the grounds that it will seriously jeopardize an already dangerous situation in the region. All countries truly concerned about Middle East peace should tell Russia explicitly that this arms deal is unacceptable."

The deal was announced by Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who noted that both the United States and Israel had objected to the sale. Syria is a major supporter of the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, which has used Russian-made weapons in the past, most recently in its 2006 war against Israel. Under the terms of the current deal, P-800 Yakhont cruise missiles, which have a range of 200 miles and carry a 440 pound warhead, would be delivered to the Damascus regime.

www.ajc.org

SOURCE American Jewish Committee