Pentagon says Gates shares Israel’s concerns about Russian arms sales to Syria

Pentagon: Gates worried about Russian arms sale

WASHINGTON — A spokesman says Defense Secretary Robert Gates shares Israel’s concerns that Russia plans to sell Syria anti-ship cruise missiles.

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell (moh-REHL’) said Gates told Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak (EH’-hud bah-RAHK’) in a private meeting Monday that he worried the sale could further destabilize the region.

Israeli leaders have said the sale poses a major threat to Israel because Syria backs the Lebanese Hezbollah (hez-BUH’-lah), which has used Russian-made weapons against Israel in the past.

Morrell said Gates also raised the issue with a Russian delegation visiting the Pentagon last week. When asked for specifics, Morrell would only say Gates asked his Kremlin counterparts to be “mindful” of the consequences of such sales.