http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2010/11_03/1.asp
Iran pursues refund from Russia for S-300, rules out Venezuela option NICOSIA - Iran has acknowledged that it was seeking compensation from Russia for its cancellation of the S-300 air defense project. Meanwhile, Iran has ruled out procurement of an S-300 air defense system from any country other than Russia. Officials said Iran has been in contact with Russia to conclude the estimated $1 billion S-300 program. They said Teheran has begun legal proceedings to obtain delivery of the long-range air defense system. "We are now taking legal action to get compensated by Russia," Iranian Defense Minister Ahmed Vahidi said. Officials said the Defense Ministry does not intend to buy the S-300PMU1 from a third party. They cited reports in the Russian media that Teheran could purchase the long-range system from Venezuela. "Currently, there is no such plan on the agenda of the Defense Ministry," Vahidi said. In remarks on Oct. 23, Vahidi did not detail the legal action. Earlier, Russia said it was discussing a settlement to conclude the S-300 project, but acknowledged differences with Teheran. Russia was said to have offered to return Iran's $300 million deposit for the S-300. But officials said Iran has demanded penalties of at least $300 million for the canceled contract. In remarks to the Fars News Agency, Vahidi said Iran would continue efforts to develop a long-range SAM system. He did not elaborate. "We will soon produce a domestic S-300 missile system," Vahidi said. Earlier, on Oct. 20, the Defense Ministry sought to refute Russian reports that Iran has worked out an arrangement in which Venezuela would acquire at least five S-300 systems. The reports speculated that Venezuela, a leading ally, would then transfer the air defense batteries to Teheran. After a delay of nearly 18 months, Russia decided not to deliver the S-300 to Iran. Over the last week, Russian analysts and media have asserted that Moscow could send the air defense systems, part of a contract estimated at nearly $1 billion, to either China or Venezuela. Venezuela has become Iran's leading ally. Western intelligence sources said Teheran has become a key supplier and trainer of Venezuela's military and security forces. Over the last few months, Vahidi has asserted that Iran no longer requires the S-300. He said the Defense Ministry has been overseeing the development of a system that exceeded the capabilities of the S-300. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [email protected]. -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [email protected] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [email protected] Unsubscribe: [email protected] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtmlYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
