Russia says supplying Syria, Mali with arms

Moscow, Feb 13 (AFP) Russia said today it was delivering military hardware and light weapons to the governments of Syria and Mali as it expands sales and maintains its footing in some of the world's deadliest conflicts. The head of the Rosoboronexport arms exporter said Russian deliveries to the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad included air defence systems but not the advanced Iskander missiles sought by Damascus. "We are continuing to fulfil our obligations on contracts for the delivery of military hardware," Anatoly Isaikin was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. He also rejected reports that Russia was planning to supply advanced MiG 29-M fighters to Damascus while confirming it had a deal outstanding for Yak-130 light attack jets. Isaikin said Syria currently ranked "13th or 14th in terms of volume" on the list of nations receiving Russian arms supplies. Russia has been repeatedly condemned by Western and Arab nations for keeping ties to the Syrian government despite violence that UN estimates show has claimed more than 70,000 lives. Its shipment this year of repaired attack helicopters to the regime was disclosed by the media and drew a furious response from former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. But some Moscow officials counter that Russia's sales are legitimate because Syria's armed opposition has received both covert and open financial and military support from some Arab world governments. Russia is the world's second-largest arms exporter after the United States and has its biggest contracts with India and China. Isaikin put the value of exports last year at USD 12.9 billion with the largest orders going to southern Asian nations. But he added that Russia was also building arms links with strife-torn Mali and other countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Isaikin said small amounts of light weapons were already being delivered to the West African nation and that new sales were under discussion. "We have delivered firearms. Literally two weeks ago another consignment was sent. These are completely legal deliveries," said Isaikin said. "We are in talks about sending more, in small quantities." Russia reported in January that some of its biggest gains in arms exports came from the opening and expansion of markets in nations such as Ghana and Tanzania. (AFP) NKP NKP 02132111 NNNN