Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the Syrian plane that was forced to land in Turkey was legally carrying Russian radar parts for Syria. (Mian Khursheed/Reuters)
...Sergey Lavrov (click here) insisted Friday the shipment complied with international law. He said the plane carried no weapons and that the "electric equipment for radars" of was a legitimate cargo.
Lavrov added, however, that the cargo was of "dual purpose," meaning it could have civilian and military applications . He said the Russian company that sent it to Syria will demand that Turkey return it....
The Foreign Minister has stated from the beginning both sides of the civil war have to stop in order for any negotiations to go forward. That statement was made before the continued incursion to Turkey by Syrian forces.
Peaceful resolve is sometimes blurred in the interpretation. Russian businessmen have conducted their trade with Syria before any conflict started; to that end they are fulfilling contracts. Now, as a result what Russia and their business community might deem as 'normalcy' to enhance the peace promotion has now changed.
The conflict within Syria has now expanded beyond its borders and while the Assad regime insists on apologizing for this on going problem, it hardly seems to resolve the problem. Basically, Assad has lost control of his borders. Given that fact there is every indication any supply of anything from Russian business other than humanitarian aid will be intercepted. I sincerely hope Foreign Minister Lavrov will find the border incursions with Turkey a serious development and inform his business community of this turn of events.
In the meantime, I am confident Turkey would be happy to see the return of the radar to its Russian source. It is understandable how any business with a contract would like to make every effort to fulfill the contract, however, there are more and more complications to that end. Russia has to entertain the idea of informing its business community of a change in circumstance with Syrian contracts when any military component is involved. Such contracts should be placed 'on hold' pending a resolve to the civil war and the Turkish border incursions. Without official Russian doctrine stating same, Russian businesses will be forced into these precarious positions.
I understand suspending such transactions with Syria will result in tensions, but, in all seriousness the best interest of the business community of Russia has to be considered. If this shipment fell into rebel hands within Syria no one's best interest would be served, especially that of the intended recipient. I believe all such contracts can be honored at a future date with reassurances of delivery.
The conflict within Syria has now expanded beyond its borders and while the Assad regime insists on apologizing for this on going problem, it hardly seems to resolve the problem. Basically, Assad has lost control of his borders. Given that fact there is every indication any supply of anything from Russian business other than humanitarian aid will be intercepted. I sincerely hope Foreign Minister Lavrov will find the border incursions with Turkey a serious development and inform his business community of this turn of events.
In the meantime, I am confident Turkey would be happy to see the return of the radar to its Russian source. It is understandable how any business with a contract would like to make every effort to fulfill the contract, however, there are more and more complications to that end. Russia has to entertain the idea of informing its business community of a change in circumstance with Syrian contracts when any military component is involved. Such contracts should be placed 'on hold' pending a resolve to the civil war and the Turkish border incursions. Without official Russian doctrine stating same, Russian businesses will be forced into these precarious positions.
I understand suspending such transactions with Syria will result in tensions, but, in all seriousness the best interest of the business community of Russia has to be considered. If this shipment fell into rebel hands within Syria no one's best interest would be served, especially that of the intended recipient. I believe all such contracts can be honored at a future date with reassurances of delivery.
Syrian rebels take 256 army prisoners, Al Jazeera reports (click here)
Rebels release video to Al Jazeera that shows 256 Syrian government army prisoners from Idlib.
David TrifunovOctober 13, 2012 10:53
Rebels release video to Al Jazeera that shows 256 Syrian government army prisoners from Idlib.
David TrifunovOctober 13, 2012 10:53
Syrian rebels released video today that claims to show they’ve captured 256 government troops in Idlib, Al Jazeera reported.
The network couldn’t verify the identity of the prisoners or the veracity of the video, which it didn’t post online.
“All we know is that these prisoners are from Az Zainiyeh,” reporter Anita McNaught said at Aljazeera.com.
“Az Zainiyeh was where the Syrian army forces had withdrawn after opposition fighters had driven them out of the villages in that part of Idlib.”
Rebels might have captured the prisoners three days ago when fighting broke out in Az Zainiyeh, McNaught said.
The claims come a day after rebels captured an air defence base....
Like I said, the Russian equipment might not arrive at its destination, but, fall into the hands of those most able to secure it away from the Assad regime.
