Minsk denies Russian anti-aircraft missiles sent to Belarus are for Iran

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/April/theworld_April811.xml§ion=theworld&col=

Russia delivers anti-aircraft missiles to Belarus; Minsk denies they are for Iran


MINSK, Belarus - Russia began delivering advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Belarus on Friday, the Belarusian defense minister said, and he denied a report that the weaponry was destined for Iran.

Russia and Belarus signed an agreement last year on the delivery of the latest and most advanced version of Russia’s S-300SP surface-to-air missile system, capable of shooting down targets some 150 kilometers (90 miles) away.

British defense journal Jane’s Intelligence Digest, meanwhile, reported in a recent edition that Belarus had agreed to transfer the S-300SP missiles to Iran in order to help it bolster its defenses against any possible US or Israeli air strikes designed to derail what many in the West allege are its efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

The report said the agreement had been reached in January when a high-level military and political delegation from Tehran paid a low-key visit to Minsk. The journal asserted that Moscow had chosen an indirect way of supplying the missiles to allow it to avoid tarnishing its international reputation.

Russia has already agreed to supply sophisticated Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran.

[tatertop]

1. I was wondering why Belarus wanted these missiles. Now I know.

Russia would be insane not to protect their interest
in Iran. I've got a feeling Iran has a whole lot more
Russian hardware than is widely published.

[formercia]

2. Oops!

Time to redo the Iran folder.....