RUSSIA INTERESTED IN SALE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR TO SYRIA
ISRAEL LINE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1997
According to an official statement, the Russian government is interested
in selling a nuclear reactor to Syria, HA'ARETZ reported. Syria has not
sought a nuclear reactor since two years ago, when the United States
pressured Argentina into abandoning its proposed sale of a reactor to Syria.
The announcement, made via the Russian Interfax news agency, stated, "The
Russian government supports the [Russian] Atomic Energy Ministry's proposal
that cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic in peaceful uses of atomic
energy should be stepped up."
Consistent with the Russian statement, Syria has claimed in the past that
it was interested in nuclear research for medical rather than military
purposes, but Israel has opposed such a reactor on the grounds that it would
serve as an important step toward the building of a nuclear weapon.
Regarding the new development, a senior U.S. official said, "We believe
Russia is exploring the prospect of some form of nuclear cooperation with
Syria."
Israeli officials refused to confirm or deny Russian interest in a
possible deal. However, security officials said that there is a pattern to
the recent increase in Russian involvement in the Middle East, spearheaded
by Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov.
One official said, "Russia is trying by force to play a bigger role in the
Middle East, whether it is ballistic missile sales to Iran, or weakening
U.N. sanctions on Iraq, or maintaining military ties with Syria. It wants
to utilize its existing assets in the region not just to gain economic
benefit, but also for what it deems to be strategic purposes since it
regards the Middle East as its backyard."
ISRAEL LINE
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