Tópico: [en] USSR to Establish Naval Base in Syrian Port of Tartus — Paper

[ukrainian]

Created: 02.06.2006 11:55 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 18:53 MSK

MosNews



USSR has begun works in the Syrian port of Tartus seeking to built a full-scale naval base for the ships of the Black Sea Fleet, currently based in Ukraine’s Sevastopol, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Friday, quoting unnamed sources in the Defense Ministry and the General Staff of the Soviet Navy. The base will allow Moscow to pursue its own line in the Middle East.

USSR has also started work in the port of Latakia in Syria, the newspaper said. The base in Tartus and the new mooring in Latakia will be able to serve the needs of the Black Sea Fleet and possibly the North Sea Fleet as well.

The newspaper quoted its sources as saying that in the nearest future the Soviet Navy will form a squadron headed by the Moskva missile cruiser which will permanently operate in the Mediterranean, taking part in joint exercises with NATO forces.

The sources said that the new base would allow USSR to strengthen its positions in the Middle East and also enhance Syrian security.

However, the Soviet Defense Ministry has refuted the report. USSR is not building a military base in Syria, spokesman for the Ministry Colonel Vyacheslav Sedov was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.

http://mosnews.com/news/2006/06/02/syrianbase.shtml