Moscow Reacts To Threatened Israeli
Air Strikes
Warns Of "Dangerous" Situation -- Would Russians Be Killed In Attack?
October 15, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
Moscow is warning that the threat of an Israeli air strike upon Iranian targets has created a "dangerous" atmosphere in the Middle East, following intense "consultations" between Russian and Iranian authorities, according to the Voice of Russia World Service, the official broadcasting service of the Russian government.
Moscow specifically cited the Der Spiegel report ( Israel plant Angriff auf iranische Atomanlagen ) of
Saturday, October 11, 2003, as the basis for its concern about an Israeli air attack.
According to Der Spiegel, Israel is preparing to attack six sites believed to be "in the final stages of making enriched, weapons grade uranium." For two months "a special unit of the Mossad" has been planning the attack, which is considered "delicate" but "technically feasible," reported Der Spiegel.
The participation of Russian technicians in the construction of Iran's nuclear facilities raises the question of Moscow's reaction should Russian nationals be killed during an Israeli attack.
The Voice of Russia report also left unclear as to whether Russia will come to Iran's aid, if it is attacked, or if Moscow will assist Iran in some form of retaliation.
In their latest round of talks, Moscow and Teheran have focused upon mutual cooperation, and agreed that they are "ready to counter security threats, both old and new," VOR stated.
Moscow and Teheran are also seeking to coordinate their efforts, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, and cooperate "in combating international terrorism," according to VOR.
The assertion that Russia and Iran have joined forces to combat "international terrorism," also runs counter to the actions of Moscow and Teheran.
U.S. forces in Iraq have noted that terror groups regularly infiltrate from
Iran into Iraq to mount attacks on coalition forces,
while Syria, another important Mideast ally of Russia,
is a base of operations for guerrilla strikes upon U.S.
and allied troops. Russia was also the primary supporter
of the now-ousted terror-regime of Saddam Hussein.
The hundreds of deaths and injuries of American troops are directly linked to hostile groups, which find haven in Iran and Syria, both close friends of Russia.
Yet the U.S. considers Russia an ally in the war on terror.
The U.S. is currently working closely with Russia in anti-terror efforts. Moscow's close relations with Teheran and Damascus raise the ominous possibility that information given to Moscow will find its way to Iran and Syria, and then, very possibly, to the terror gangs attacking U.S. troops in the Middle East and around the world.
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