SOCHI, Russia: Syrian leader Bashar Assad backed Russia’s military action against Georgia at talks with President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday that were expected to cover purchases of Russian arms.
A diplomatic source in Moscow told Interfax news agency on Wednesday Russia and Syria were preparing a number of deals involving anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile systems.
Syria becomes only the second country after Belarus to voice public backing for Russia’s operation in Georgia.
“We understand the essence of the Russian position and its military response,” Bashar told Medvedev at the start of their meeting in the Kremlin leader’s Black Sea residence, Bocharov Ruchei. “We believe Russia was responding to the Georgian provocation,” the Syrian president said. Russia drew Western condemnation, led by the US, when it mounted a crushing military offensive in response to Georgia’s attempt two weeks ago to recapture the rebel, pro-Russian province of South Ossetia. Moscow says it was forced to act to avert bloodshed in South Ossetia and defend Russian nationals and peacekeepers from the Georgian attack, though Tbilisi says Moscow engineered the conflict.
“I want to express my support for the Russian position in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.... We oppose attempts to tarnish Russia’s position,” Assad said.
A deal signed by Washington and Warsaw this week to deploy elements of a US missile defense system in Poland has further aggravated Moscow’s relations with the West.
Assad’s visit is likely to become an additional irritant for Washington.
