Why Syria & Iran Can Help And How

[Annie]

Agree.
But this gives no answer to Iranian intelligence activity in Syria.
What between Syria and Iran is, is decided on table and negotiations where Iran is in no position to say and Syria must do.
Iran is not capable in interfering in Syrian business in greater scale.

Syria is no more than a proxy. Iran is paying for it all. Get real, most of us do get it. We think they are nuts, but then again, patience is not an American strong suit.

 

[ekrem]

Syria is no more than a proxy. Iran is paying for it all. Get real, most of us do get it. We think they are nuts, but then again, patience is not an American strong suit.

No Kathianne. Syria is no vassal state of Iran.
But they act together out of common interest in certain issues, while they parallel disagree on many other issues but the issues they agree on are for both the deciding and crucial ones.

The big daddy of Syria was and currently continues to be is Russia.

 

[Annie]

No Kathianne. Syria is no vassal state of Iran.
But they act together out of common interest in certain issues, while they parallel disagree on many other issues but the issues they agree on are for both the deciding and crucial ones.

The big daddy of Syria was and currently continues to be is Russia.

We'll all see Canavar. I think you are way, way off here. Turkey always is shuddering about Russia.

 

[ekrem]

We'll all see Canavar. I think you are way, way off here. Turkey always is shuddering about Russia.

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Many experts say geopolitical realities are bringing the two nations together in an opportunistic alliance. "It's a strategic relationship, a marriage of convenience," says Scott Lasensky, senior research associate and Middle East expert at the United States Institute of Peace. Ilan Berman, vice president for policy at the American Foreign Policy Council, says, "Syria and Iran both have a common goal, which is not to be the next Iraq." The two countries agreed to a mutual defense treaty in 2004.

http://www.cfr.org/publication/11122/

Turkey does not shudder about Russia. Turkey and Russia have a trade volume reaching nearly 20 billion dollars. Russia-Iran bilateral trade for example is about 6 billion dollars.
Anti-Terrorism work between Turkey and Russia functions without complain.
And Turkey and Russia currently have policies to demilitarize the Black Sea.
Turkish-Russian relations are in an all-time high and we cooperate.
But this is an whole different issue.

By demilitarizing the Black Sea Russian and Turkish Navy forces there will be obsolete.
Turkey has meditarenean coast, and Russia will have Syria for its Black Sea Naval force.
Russia is number 1 weapon seller to Syria and gives them exclusive weapons.

And Russia scratched about 9,8 Billion dollar of debt which Syria had to Russia in 2005.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/01/26/001.html
So that means in other words, that Russia donated Syria with weapons worth 10 Billiion dollars.


The common thing which Syria and Iran binds is just as the CFR Link said an opportunistic alliance. Not much more. The biggest investors in Syria are EU, Saudi-Arabia, Turkey and Russia.
Syrian-Turkish relations are steadily improving on multiple areas especially the economic factor and Syria profits from this well.
- As we signed with them a free-trade agreement
- don't ask for visa's anymore
- have common agricultural projects in boarder area
- Turkey investing in Syria
- Istanbul stock exchange establishing the first stock exchange of Syria in Damascus on request of Ms. Assad

The launch of a stock exchange had received a boost early 2004, when the Syrian President asked the Istanbul Stock Exchange to provide help in support of establishing a bourse in Syria during a visit to Istanbul.

http://www.ameinfo.com/80233.html

Iran will establish together with Venezuela a 1,5 billion worth refinery in Syria. Oil, that's it.
Syria produces itself about 600,000 Barrels a day and is not reliant on Iranian imports.
Mid-East is like a clockwork, and common enemies make Syria and Iran make common strategies.
Like Venezuela is doing with Iran. That's it.

Cooperation from Syria with Russia and Turkey is much more on a breadth scale.
Turkey has cleared positions with Syria in 1998 when Turkey almost invaded Syria and Egyptian Mubarak had to travel to Damascus to make Damascus accept Turkish demands. Since then there is no problems left and Syria cooperates with Turkey.
They will even change their history books in schools about Ottoman history in their country.

Anyway, the only daddy of Syria is Russia. Not somebody else.
Read this, it is from June 22, 2006
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,422911,00.html

 

[Annie]

-->

http://www.cfr.org/publication/11122/

Turkey does not shudder about Russia. Turkey and Russia have a trade volume reaching nearly 20 billion dollars. Russia-Iran bilateral trade for example is about 6 billion dollars.
Anti-Terrorism work between Turkey and Russia functions without complain.
And Turkey and Russia currently have policies to demilitarize the Black Sea.
Turkish-Russian relations are in an all-time high and we cooperate.
But this is an whole different issue.

By demilitarizing the Black Sea Russian and Turkish Navy forces there will be obsolete.
Turkey has meditarenean coast, and Russia will have Syria for its Black Sea Naval force.
Russia is number 1 weapon seller to Syria and gives them exclusive weapons.

And Russia scratched about 9,8 Billion dollar of debt which Syria had to Russia in 2005.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/01/26/001.html
So that means in other words, that Russia donated Syria with weapons worth 10 Billiion dollars.


The common thing which Syria and Iran binds is just as the CFR Link said an opportunistic alliance. Not much more. The biggest investors in Syria are EU, Saudi-Arabia, Turkey and Russia.
Syrian-Turkish relations are steadily improving on multiple areas especially the economic factor and Syria profits from this well.
- As we signed with them a free-trade agreement
- don't ask for visa's anymore
- have common agricultural projects in boarder area
- Turkey investing in Syria
- Istanbul stock exchange establishing the first stock exchange of Syria in Damascus on request of Ms. Assad


http://www.ameinfo.com/80233.html

Iran will establish together with Venezuela a 1,5 billion worth refinery in Syria. Oil, that's it.
Syria produces itself about 600,000 Barrels a day and is not reliant on Iranian imports.
Mid-East is like a clockwork, and common enemies make Syria and Iran make common strategies.
Like Venezuela is doing with Iran. That's it.

Cooperation from Syria with Russia and Turkey is much more on a breadth scale.
Turkey has cleared positions with Syria in 1998 when Turkey almost invaded Syria and Egyptian Mubarak had to travel to Damascus to make Damascus accept Turkish demands. Since then there is no problems left and Syria cooperates with Turkey.
They will even change their history books in schools about Ottoman history in their country.

Anyway, the only daddy of Syria is Russia. Not somebody else.
Read this, it is from June 22, 2006
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,422911,00.html

You've given several examples WHY US and Iran will not be 'partners' in anything. As for Turkey and Russia, good luck with that.

 

[ekrem]

You've given several examples WHY US and Iran will not be 'partners' in anything. As for Turkey and Russia, good luck with that.

It is your interpretation of what i gave.
To Turkey and Russia a good read:

Booming relations, stronger bonds: Turkey and Russia:
KÜRŞAD TÜZMEN
State minister for foreign trade, co-chairman of Turkey-Russia Joint Economic Committee
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=27452

Turkish Prime minister and Russian President met 4 times the last 12 months.
How often was Bush in Turkey? In 6 years 1 time.
Off course we look elsewhere and cooperation with Russia except on Georgia, works very well. In a way advantageous for both sides especially economy and security.

 

[Annie]

It is your interpretation of what i gave.
To Turkey and Russia a good read:

Booming relations, stronger bonds: Turkey and Russia:
KÜRŞAD TÜZMEN
State minister for foreign trade, co-chairman of Turkey-Russia Joint Economic Committee
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=27452

Turkish Prime minister and Russian President met 4 times the last 12 months.
How often was Bush in Turkey? In 6 years 1 time.
Off course we look elsewhere and cooperation with Russia except on Georgia, works very well. In a way advantageous for both sides especially economy and security.

Again, good luck with that. Turkey made clear to us what they felt. We return the favor. Enjoy the vodka.-

 

[Gunny]

Again, good luck with that. Turkey made clear to us what they felt. We return the favor. Enjoy the vodka.-

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Kathianne again."

 

[Annie]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Kathianne again."

Thank you, kind sir.

 

[ekrem]

Again, good luck with that. Turkey made clear to us what they felt. We return the favor. Enjoy the vodka.-

Good luck in Iraq with Iran and Syria. Enjoy the Iranian Mullahs. -
I can be funny too, Kathianne.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/basbug/Enjoy-a-romantic-sunset-3-4781-3-1.jpg







.

 

[manu1959]

Unfortunately we cant do that. every time we try to isolate ourselves off from the rest of the world, a world war starts and we get drawn back into it. We are going to have to fight and win now or later. and unfortunately later might be too late.

we choose to get drawn into it....the swiss manage to stay out....

 

[dilloduck]

we choose to get drawn into it....the swiss manage to stay out....

Somebody has to stay home and guard the real money !

 

[Annie]

Good luck in Iraq with Iran and Syria. Enjoy the Iranian Mullahs. -
I can be funny too, Kathianne.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/basbug/Enjoy-a-romantic-sunset-3-4781-3-1.jpg







.

Not really, especially less than 24 hours this happens:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061121/pl_afp/lebanonunrestus_061121223128

Bush warns Syria, Iran after Lebanon killing

1 hour, 44 minutes ago

US President George W. Bush accused Syria and Iran of fomenting violence and instability in Lebanon, as he condemned the assassination of Lebanese cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meanwhile made a hasty telephone call to Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, amid signs of US concern over the fate of the Beirut government which emerged from Lebanon's 'cedar revolution.'

"Today we saw again the vicious face of those who hate freedom," Bush told American troops in Hawaii during a trip home from Asia.

"We strongly condemn the assassination today in Lebanon of Pierre Gemayel."

Bush did not apportion direct blame but called for an investigation into "those people and those forces" behind the killing of the anti-Syrian Christian leader.

"We support the Siniora government and its democracy and we support the Lebanese people's desire to live in peace and we support their efforts to defend their democracy against attempts by Syria, Iran and allies to foment instability and violence in that important country," said Bush.

The killing came against a backdrop of global calls, so far resisted by the United States, for a dialogue with Syria and Iran over chaos in Iraq.

But Bush's tone, further bolstered in a written statement on the killing, appeared to cast further doubt on already slim chances of such a diplomatic opening.

"Syria's refusal to cease and desist from its continuing efforts to destabilize Lebanon's democratically elected government" was a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, Bush said.

"We also demand that Syria treat Lebanon as a genuinely sovereign neighbor, establishing full diplomatic relations with Lebanon," he said.

The president said the assassination made it even more important for the United Nations Security Council to seek justice in the killing of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri last year.

Late Tuesday the Security Council endorsed a blueprint for a tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 murder, French ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said.

US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns earlier branded the killing of Gemayel, gunned down in a Beirut suburb, as an "act of terrorism" aimed at Syria's opponents in the country.

Rice called the Lebanese prime minister to express condolences and to reiterate the support of the United States for "Lebanese democracy and for the Siniora government," the State Department said.

America's ambassador to the UN John Bolton pointed the finger at Syria, noting the string of assassinations of anti-Damascus politicians in Lebanon.

"One can follow the logic there, I think," Bolton told CNN.

Syria issued its most complete denial of involvement in the killing through its embassy here.

"This charade of blaming Syria for every malicious event in Lebanon has been exposed a long time ago and is, simply, losing all credibility," the embassy statement said.

"It's no coincidence that Pierre Gemayel was assassinated on the day the Security Council is discussing a Lebanese issue," the statement said.

Later, Syrian ambassador to Washington Imad Moustapha said on CNN that Syria was "categorically not" behind the killing.

Earlier this month, Washington issued an unusually public warning over "mounting evidence" that Iran, Syria and the Shiite militia Hezbollah were plotting assassinations as part of a plan to topple Siniora's government.

The United States has been a firm backer of Siniora, though tensions emerged during the Israeli war with Hezbollah in Lebanon earlier this year.

Washington has pointed to what it says is Syria's interference in Lebanon to explain its reluctance to talk directly with the government in Damascus, despite increasing pressure here and abroad for a dialogue over Iraq.

Washington withdrew its ambassador to Damascus after the Hariri assassination last year, and also accuses Syria of aiding insurgents in Iraq.

 

[Annie]

Not really, especially less than 24 hours this happens:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061121/pl_afp/lebanonunrestus_061121223128

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061122/ts_nm/lebanon_dc

Lebanon braces for power struggle

By Nadim Ladki 31 minutes ago

Lebanon braced on Wednesday for a bitter power struggle after the assassination of an anti-Syrian Christian cabinet minister which his allies blamed on Syria.

Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was gunned down on Tuesday as he drove in a Christian suburb of Beirut, becoming the sixth anti-Syria politician to be killed in nearly two years.

Hours later, the U.N. Security Council approved plans for a special international court to try suspects in the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

The action by the 15-nation council, in the form of a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, will enable the plans to be submitted to the Lebanese government for its formal approval.

Hariri's son Saad and his allies quickly accused Damascus of killing Gemayel in an attempt to derail the tribunal. Many Lebanese blame Syria for killing Hariri.

A U.N. investigation has implicated Lebanese and Syrian security officials in Hariri's murder. Damascus denies any links. It also strongly condemned Gemayel's killing.

The assassination is certain to heighten tensions in Lebanon amid a deep political crisis pitting the anti-Syrian majority against the pro-Damascus opposition led by Hezbollah, which is determined to topple what it sees as a pro-U.S. government.

"We believe the hand of Syria is all over the place," Saad al-Hariri, whose father Rafik was killed in a suicide bombing, said shortly after Gemayel was shot dead.

Anti-Syrian Druze leader Walid Jumblatt openly accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regarding the Gemayel shooting.

"Only the tribunal will deter the killer in Damascus. Bashar is scared. That is why he opted for killing to avoid punishment," he said.

"NO CREDIBILITY"

Syrian Information Minister Muhsen Bilal denied any Syrian link to the latest murder.

"Those who accuse Syria in this narrow and defeated manner do not have a grain of truth or credibility... How can they make an accusation at the very first minute?" he said.

Saad later called for a large turnout at Gemayel's funeral on Thursday. "The day we bid farewell to Pierre Gemayel, is the day to defend the international court and justice," he said.

Large demonstrations after Hariri's killing forced Syria to end 29 years of military presence in Lebanon in April 2005.

The assassination came after a devastating July-August conflict in south Lebanon between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which accused the pro-U.S. government of backing its opponents in order to weaken it as a political and military force.

U.S. President George W. Bush led world leaders in condemning Gemayel's murder and he urged an investigation to "identify those people and those forces behind the killing."

Six pro-Syrian ministers resigned from Siniora's cabinet this month and with Gemayel's death, the deaths or resignations of two more ministers would bring down the government.

Hezbollah and its allies had been preparing to take to the streets to topple Siniora's government, arguing it has lost its legitimacy since Shi'ite Muslims are no longer represented.

A political source close to Hezbollah said Tuesday's murder would force it to revise its plans. A Hezbollah official said the timeline of the protests would now have to be pushed back.

The anti-Syrian coalition told supporters to prepare to take to the streets peacefully. Any protests and counter-protests would raise the spectre of confrontations.

"I have one wish, that tonight be a night of prayer to contemplate the meaning of this martyrdom and how to protect this country," former President Amin Gemayel told reporters outside the hospital where his son's body was taken.

Pierre Gemayel, elected to parliament in 2000 and in 2005, was a member of the Phalange Party founded by his grandfather. His uncle Bashir Gemayel was killed in September 1982 after he was elected president during Israel's invasion of Lebanon.

The Christian Phalange party controlled one of the largest militias fighting in the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war.

 

[Bullypulpit]

For a lighter take on the issue...

<center><img src=http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/steve_bell/2006/11/14/bell141106a.jpg> - Steve Bell, <i>The Guardian</i>

 

[Annie]

For a lighter take on the issue...

<center><img src=http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/steve_bell/2006/11/14/bell141106a.jpg> - Steve Bell, <i>The Guardian</i>

You find 'lightness' here, Bully? Gee, I thought you were deeper than that.

 

[Bullypulpit]

You find 'lightness' here, Bully? Gee, I thought you were deeper than that.

I spent my formative years watching <i>Monty Python's Flying Circus</i>, hence my utter lack of respect for authority.

 

[Annie]

I spent my formative years watching <i>Monty Python's Flying Circus</i>, hence my utter lack of respect for authority.

Me too, though we seem to have found a different message...

 

[dilloduck]

I spent my formative years watching <i>Monty Python's Flying Circus</i>, hence my utter lack of respect for authority.

Impressive insight, Bully ! Now you will get a chance to see if you lack respect for liberal authority too!

 

[Gunny]

Good luck in Iraq with Iran and Syria. Enjoy the Iranian Mullahs. -
I can be funny too, Kathianne.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/basbug/Enjoy-a-romantic-sunset-3-4781-3-1.jpg







.

There actually isn't much humor in taking the line you just got hammered with, changing a word or two and parroting it back.