CIA: Iran, Syria cooperating on missile development
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, February 24, 2000
WASHINGTON -- Iran and Syria are cooperating on missile development
in programs aimed against Israel.
A new CIA report says Iran has obtained the capability of launching a
missile that can strike Israel and that Teheran and its Syrian ally are
cooperating on developing more lethal missiles.
"Damascus continued work on establishing a solid-propellant rocket motor
development and production capability with help from outside countries such
as Iran," the report said.
The CIA said Syria is obtaining help from Iran on developing solid-fuel
rockets. Solid propellant rocket would allow Iran and Syria to launch
missiles within hours. Preparing for a liquid fuel is far more
time-consuming and dangerous.
It was the first time the CIA raised the issue of Iranian-Syrian
cooperation on missile development. The report said Iran has completed
several Shihab-3 missiles, with a range of 1,300 kilometers that can be made
operational.
"Iran probably has achieved 'emergency operational capability' [for the
Shihab-3] i.e., Teheran could deploy a limited number of the Shihab-3
prototype missiles in an operational mode during a perceived crisis
situation," the report said.
The report said Iran is obtaining help from China, Russia and Syria.
The CIA disclosure comes as the Senate is considering legislation that
would increase presidential authority to sanction countries that help Iran's
weapons programs. The Clinton administration opposes the bill, which would
require the president to submit reports to Congress every six months that
identifies those providing Iran with technology and components for Iran's
missile and weapons systems.
The president would be allowed to end weapons sales or economic aid to
those countries. A Senate vote is scheduled for Thursday.
Sen. Joseph Biden, a Democrat from Delaware, said the bill is not
anti-Russian. "But we are manifestly anti-proliferation," he said. "We will
not tolerate vicious and venal persons plunging the world into a new Cold
War."
So for 10 Russian companies have been sanctioned by the Clinton
administration.
Thursday, February 24, 2000
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