BRATISLAVA. Feb 25 (Interfax-AVN) - The future contract with Syria on the delivery of Russian Strelets air defense systems will allow for on-site inspections, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has announced.
"As for the deliveries of the Strelets short-range air defense systems to Syria, we have once again explained our stance to the United States as we earlier explained to the Israelis, to Sharon (Prime Minister Ariel Sharon - Interfax) that Strelets cannot be used for attacking the Israelis as it has a range of 4-5 kilometers," Ivanov said adding that it is not a MANPAD.
"In the future contract, if it is signed, Russia, reserves the right to intrusive inspections, that is undeniable inspections at the sites where the system will be deployed," Ivanov said.
"As a military person I can say that the system will be used for the defense of certain facilities in Syria," he added.
He said that the question of Russian assault rifle deliveries to Venezuela was not raised at the Russian-American summit. "During my recent stay in Washington and talks with Donald Rumsfeld (U.S. Defense Secretary - Interfax) I gave detailed explanations. The matter is closed," he said.