Russia seeks navy presence in Mediterranean
Pastor Dale Morgan
Russia seeks navy presence in Mediterranean*
Reuters
Friday, August 3, 2007; 5:54 AM
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's navy should have a permanent presence in the
Mediterranean Sea, navy chief Admiral Vladimir Masorin said on Friday,
RIA news agency reported.
"The Mediterranean Sea is very important strategically for the Black Sea
fleet," Masorin said during a visit to the base of Russia's Black Sea
fleet in the Ukrainian city of Sevastopol.
"I propose that, with the involvement of the Northern and Baltic fleets,
the Russian Navy should restore its permanent presence there," Masorin
said, RIA reported.
During the Cold war, the Soviet navy had a permanent presence on the
Mediterranean Sea, leasing a base in Syria, military analyst Pavel
Felgenhauer told Reuters.
He said Russia may be seeking to use Syria as a base for its
Mediterranean operations. That move may anger Israel.
Russia under President Vladimir Putin has been boosting military
spending and reviewed navy strategy.