Israel Matzav

Syria told Iran three years ago it would not defend Iran against Israeli strike

According to a cable sent by the US embassy in Damascus in December 2009, Syria warned Iran that it would not help the Iranians to fight Israel in the event of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, and that Hamas and Hezbullah would not do so either. The cable was released by Wikileaks.

The message was passed on during three close visits to Damascus by senior Iranian officials in December 2009. National Security Advisor Saeed Jalili on December 3, Vice President and head of the Environmental Department Mahammed-Javad Mahamadzideh on December 5-6, and Minister of Defense Ahmad Ali Vahidi on December 8-11.

10. (S/NF) More significantly, Syria reportedly resisted Iranian entreaties to commit to joining Iran if fighting broke out between Iran and Israel or Hizballah and Israel. Waddah Abd Rabbo, Editor-in-Chief of Syria's only privately-owned (but still very pro-government) daily, said Iranian officials were in Syria "to round up allies" in anticipation of an Israeli military strike. "It (an Israeli strike on Iran) is not a matter of if, but when," Abd Rabbo said, reporting what Syrian officials had heard from their Iranian counterparts. The Syrian response, he continued, was to tell the Iranians not to look to Syria, Hizballah or Hamas to "fight this battle." "We told them Iran is strong enough on its own to develop a nuclear program and to fight Israel," he said, adding, "we're too weak." The Iranians know Syria has condemned Israeli threats and would denounce Israeli military operations against Iran. "But they were displeased with Asad's response. They needed to hear the truth," Abd Rabo said.

11. (S/NF) Asked what advice Syria was giving Iran, Abd Rabbo replied that Syria, along with Turkey and Qatar, was preparing for an Israeli-Iranian military exchange in the near future. "Military officials tell me they have noticed Israeli drones snooping around our sites," he explained, noting some Syrian officials saw Israeli reconnaissance as an indication that Israel might seek to disable anti-air radar stations as part of a plan to fly bombers over Syrian territory en route to Iran. "We expect to wake up one morning soon and learn the Israeli strike took place. Then we expect an Iranian response. At that point, we, Turkey, and Qatar will spring into action to begin moderating a ceasefire and then a longer-term solution involving both countries' nuclear programs. That's the best scenario. All the others are bad for us and the region," summed up Abd Rabbo. "We would hope the U.S. would recognize our diplomatic efforts to resolve a regional crisis and give us some credit for playing a positive role."

Hmmm.

Labels: Hamas, Hezbullah, Iranian nuclear threat

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:32 AM