[Magnolia]

I don't know, but it might be possible that the purchase of these missiles predates Putin or that they were purchased from the Russian mob.

You make a good point Carry. Nonetheless, it may explain Russia's refusal to join the coalition. Putin may know more than he's let on.

[NautiNurse]

Putin may know more than he's let on

Putin was a colonel in the KGB.

[Carry_Okie]

Nonetheless, it may explain Russia's refusal to join the coalition. Putin may know more than he's let on.

There are other understandable rationales for Russia's position in addition to that culpability as a supplier of illegal arms. Iraq owes the Russians a LOT of money. There are contracts with Lukoil for developing Iraqi oil fields. Iraq was trading oil in euros, not dollars. All of those benefit Russia. In addition, when we kick butt in Iraq (again) the desirability of Russian weapons on the world arms market will be dignificantly diminished.

[Kadric]

The missiles in crates with Cyrillic writing were dated 2002. The British supplies were dated 1980 for a Iranian contract. Notice how the report excerpts posted here are parsed. IMO some of the reports are being reported in such a way as to provide cover for those that have been providing the Iraqi government since sanctions went in place.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6178105%255E1702,00.html