Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Syria Likely to Turn to Russia for Fuel

Jamie Dettmer

   The impounding last week off the coast of Gibraltar by British marines
   of an Iranian tanker loaded with oil destined for war-wracked Syria may
   force Damascus to turn to Russia to help alleviate its acute fuel
   shortages, say analysts and diplomats.

   That in turn, they say, will make Syrian President Bashar al-Assad even
   more dependent on Moscow and less able to withstand Russian demands.
   The Kremlin has sought to wield the main influence over Syria and reap
   geo-strategic and business benefits from its military intervention in
   the eight-year Syrian war and its propping up of the Assad government.

   The seizure of the tanker Grace 1 has emphasized the risks of shipping
   oil from Iran to Syria, adding to the Assad's government's growing fuel
   crisis as it tries to escape a sanctions noose which has become even
   tighter as result of the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on its ally
   Iran.

   Britain said Saturday it will only release the Grace 1, if Tehran
   promises the vessel will not then proceed to Syria.

   The price of gas in Syria has tripled this year and rationing was
   imposed by the Assad government in April. Most Syrians are restricted
   to purchasing a meager 20 liters each week. Syria's fuel crisis has
   worsened sharply the past year when Iran stopped selling oil to its
   ally at heavily discounted prices, demanding instead full market price
   from the cash-strapped Assad government.

   Attacks on oil pipelines off Syria's coast are adding to Assad's oil
   challenge even when Iranian crude oil is delivered.

.