Lavrov: Syrian Plane Carried Radar Equipment, Not Arms

Local Editor

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that Russian cargo seized from a civilian plane grounded in Ankara by Turkish fighter jets earlier this week was not arms, contradicting an allegation made by Turkey's prime minister.

Lavrov also reiterated a Russian request for an explanation regarding Turkey's failure to allow diplomats to meet with the 17 Russian citizens on board the Syrian Air jet that had been headed to Damascus.
Lavrov comments, made after a Security Council meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, seemed to increase the likelihood of Russia and Turkey butting heads over Syria.

Lavrov said that the jet's cargo - which Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday included Russian-made ammunition - was radar equipment, not arms, and that it was being shipped legally. It was the first official comment by Russia on the nature of the cargo.
"The cargo was electronic equipment for radar systems - dual-use equipment, but not banned by any international conventions. The shipping documents were filled out in complete accordance with the requirements," Lavrov said, according to a transcript of his comments posted on the Kremlin website.
"The shipment of this kind of cargo by civilian aircraft is absolutely normal practice," he said.

Lavrov added that Russia believed that the supplier of the equipment would demand its return.
Erdogan claimed at a press conference Thursday that the plane had been carrying military equipment and ammunition produced by Russia and destined for the Syrian Defense Ministry.


Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org