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Putin rejects calls to curb arms sales
Moscow (AFP) Oct 31, 2007 Russia will not restrict its arms sales under "political" pressure from other countries, President Vladimir Putin said on Russian television Wednesday. His comments came against a background of Western fears of closer military cooperation between Moscow and Iran, Syria and Venezuela. "We cannot and we will not take into consideration any attempt to impose restrictions on us (other than those under international sanctions) based on unilateral and political judgements," Putin said. "Russia has always respected, respects and will respect rigorously all international obligations in the military-technical field, especially the export-control regulations," Putin added, while holding a council of state meeeting at his residence outside Moscow on military and technical cooperation. Washington has expressed its disquiet at a resumption of military ties between Russia and Iran, Syria and Venezuela. Russia was contracted in 2005 to sell Iran around 30 sophisticated Tor M1 surface-to-air missile systems. It also began delivering to Syria 50 new anti-aircraft defence systems of which a dozen could end up in Iran, according to Russian press reports. Russia also recently sold Venezuela 24 fighter aircraft, 53 helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles -- to the United States' displeasure. The two countries are also negotiating the sale of five Russian-made submarines. Moscow in turn accused the United States of accelerating attempts to deploy anti-missile defences in central Europe, despite Russia's request for a freeze on the project. Washington's negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic over installing the defences "have not only not been suspended, but additional measures are being taken to speed them up," said foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin. vvl/dth/mat/smc
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Possible 1.3 billion dollar sale of munitions, missiles to Israel: US
Washington (AFP) Oct 31, 2007The Pentagon announced Wednesday a possble sale to Israel of 1.3 billion dollars in missiles and munitions, including "bunker defeat" weapons. |
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