Intelligence Briefs: Syria

Syrians Continue to Defy "Smart Sanctions" against Iraq

On June 5, Al-Hayat (London) reported that Syria will not comply with the "smart sanctions" against Iraq proposed by the American government. An "informed source" in Damascus cited by the paper noted that Syria benefits immensely from trade with Iraq. Baghdad continues to covertly pump about 100,000 barrels of oil per day to Syria. The oil is used for domestic consumption, allowing Damascus to increase its oil exports (which now average about 330,000 barrels per day).

The paper added that Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Said al-Sahaf recently visited Damascus. His presence in the Syrian capital was not mentioned in the state-run press, however, illustrating that the Assad regime wishes to avoid publicizing its ties with Iraq in the face of American pressure.

Tlass Presses Moscow for Military Purchases, Upgrades

Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass arrived in Moscow late last month for talks with Russian officials about military cooperation between the two countries. According to Russian news reports, Tlass presented his hosts with two lists.

The first was a list of Soviet-built military equipment that Syria wishes to repair or upgrade. According to Russian sources, these included S-200E surface-to-air missile systems, T-55 and T-72 tanks, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as MIG-25 and MIG-29 fighter aircraft. The second was a list of modern military equipment that Syria wishes to purchase. This list included 30 SU-30 fighters; S-300PMU-1, Buk-M1 and Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile systems; MI-35 and KA-52 combat helicopters; and Molnia 12418 and 12421 missile boats.

Russian news reports said that Damascus is willing to pay up to $1 billion over the next few years on military imports. Tlass also expressed interest in sending up to 100 Syrian officers per year to study at Russian military academies.

Syria Hints at Launching "Resistance" in Golan

Syria has hinted that a resistance movement could be launched to liberate the Golan Heights, following in the footsteps of Hezbollah and its success in liberating south Lebanon. In its May 28 editorial, the state-run Tishrin daily newspaper stated that "the occupying enemy must realize that it cannot achieve security, stability and tranquility unless this is equally achieved for the Arabs." Editor Khalaf Jarad continued by pointing out that Israel's "devastating defeat in south Lebanon could be repeated elsewhere."

Jarad recalled the bomb that ripped through a restaurant frequented by Israeli soldiers in Masadeh in the Golan on May 14. This was the first attack of its kind since the Syrian-Israeli Armistice Agreement of 1974. "The example of the Lebanese national resistance movement constitutes a great inspiration for our people in the Golan Heights and Palestine," he added.

Al-Doumari Censored by Syrian Authorities

Al-Doumari, an independent satirical weekly published by the well-known political cartoonist Ali Farzat, ran afoul of the Assad regime's censors earlier this month. On June 14, security forces told the newspaper's staff to stop printing its forthcoming issue, objecting to two pages which criticized the slow pace of economic reforms and mentioned rumors of a cabinet reshuffle. The authorities "warned me that the newspaper would definitely be banned if we published the two pages," said Farzat, who complied and published a censored version of the issue, with the two offending pages left blank.

Al-Doumari, established last year, is the country's only independent newspaper. Western press reports frequently cite as fact Farzat's claim that the newspaper regularly sells 70-100,000 copies, but sources in Syria say that its circulation has slipped to under 20,000 as the content became less and less independent of the government line.