Word: pullbacks
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
SYRIA. Damascus' support of Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war had virtually consigned Syria to the role of regional pariah. Moscow's economic pullback from the region threatened only to deepen Syria's isolation. By honoring the U.N. embargo and casting its lot with the pan-Arab force, Syria aims to reintegrate into the Arab and international fold. President Hafez Assad has not taken a front role in the current drama, but he did issue an early condemnation of Iraq's action, warning that if other nations pursued a similar course, "the world would resemble a jungle...
...pullback comes at a hazardous time for President Mengistu Haile Mariam, who continues to battle Eritrean secessionists in the north and two rebel armies in Tigre province. As Soviet aid withers, Arab countries are increasing their military and economic assistance to the Eritreans, who claim to be running up military gains. In search of a new patron, Mengistu re-established diplomatic relations with Israel last November after a 16-year hiatus. Now dozens of Ethiopian officers are being trained in Israel, which is also providing Mengistu with small arms...
...Assad, the threat is that Moscow's pullback will lead to deepening isolation. Syria, already something of a pariah among Arab states for its support of Iran in the gulf war, felt even more lonely after other Arab leaders decided to resume relations with Egypt. Last December Assad moved to break his diplomatic quarantine by agreeing to restore relations with Cairo. With a foreign debt of more than $10 billion in addition to obligations to Moscow, Assad needs the help of well-heeled Arab brethren...