Posted on 12/07/2010 10:38:33 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Just a week after President Bashar Assad of Syria assured a top State Department official his government was not sending sophisticated weapons to Hezbollah, the Obama administration lodged a confidential protest accusing Syria of doing precisely what it had denied doing. .“In our meetings last week it was stated that Syria is not transferring any ‘new’ missiles to Lebanese Hizballah,’’ noted a cable sent by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in February, using an alternative spelling for the militant group. “We are aware, however, of current Syrian efforts to supply Hizballah with ballistic missiles. I must stress that this activity is of deep concern to my government, and we strongly caution you against such a serious escalation.’’
A senior Syrian Foreign Ministry official denied the allegation, a cable from the US embassy in Damascus said. But nine months later, administration officials assert, the flow of arms had continued to Hezbollah.
According to a Pentagon official, Hezbollah’s arsenal now includes up to 50,000 rockets and missiles, including some 40 to 50 Fateh-110 missiles capable of reaching Tel Aviv and most of Israel, and 10 Scud-D missiles. The newly fortified Hezbollah has raised fears that any future conflict with Israel could erupt into a full-scale regional war.
The Syrian episode offers a glimpse of US efforts to prevent buildups of arms — including Scud missiles, Soviet-era tanks and antiaircraft weapons — in some of the world’s tensest regions.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
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According to a Pentagon official, Hezbollah's arsenal now includes up to 50,000 rockets and missiles, including some 40 to 50 Fateh-110 missiles capable of reaching Tel Aviv and most of Israel, and 10 Scud-D missiles.And this is all Israel's fault -- all from recarpeting the living room in a house in E Jerusalem. Thanks ErnstStavroBlofeld.
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