Syria demands new weapons from Russia

JERUSALEM [MENL] -- Syria has warned Russia that it will turn toward an alliance with the United States unless Moscow provides Damascus with advanced weapons and upgrades.

Israeli intelligence sources said President Hafez Assad has relayed the threat in a series of high-level contacts with Russian leaders over the last week. On Thursday, Assad spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Ivan Ivanov regarding Syrian commitments from Moscow regarding any peace treaty with Israel.

The sources said Assad wants Moscow to agree over the next few weeks to a huge arms deal that would include such advanced weapons as the S-300 anti-aircraft system, regarded as having missile interception capability superior to that of the U.S. Patriot. Syria also seeks T-80 tanks, bombers and upgrades of numerous systems.

Last year, negotiations for an arms deal between Syria and Russia failed over a demand by Damascus for a long-term repayment scheduled. Russian leaders demanded cash on delivery for weapons.

But the intelligence sources said Russian President Vladimir Putin is reconsidering this approach. They said Putin is concerned that the United States might succeed in wooing Assad, and particularly his heir, Bashar, with the pledge of massive economic and military aid.

Israel's military intelligence division has urged Prime Minister Ehud Barak to oppose any plans by the United States or the West to provide military aid to Damascus and to delay economic aid to ensure that Syria observes any peace agreement with Israel.

The intelligence sources outlined the following scenario: Assad will obtain from Clinton a pledge for massive U.S. economic aid. The billions of dollars in U.S., European Union and Arab funds would allow Syria to spend up to $2 billion in arms purchases from Russia.

Assad, the sources said, wants an immediate upgrade of his military and does not plan to wait until the West approves arms sales to Damascus. The sources said the United States is unlikely to approve these purchases and Western nations will demand harsher terms than that being relayed by Moscow.

Negotiations between Russia and Syria have resumed over the last few months regarding arms purchases. The sources said the talks now require a decision by Putin.