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U.S., Russia Reach Agreement on Syrian Flights
By
Gordon Lubold
Updated Oct. 20, 2015 7:05 p.m. ET
28 COMMENTS
WASHINGTON—U.S. and Russian officials have signed an agreement that American officials said was meant to mitigate chances of mid-air incidents in the skies over Syria.
Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said a memorandum of understanding was signed Tuesday to set a series of basic protocols Russian and American jets will follow to avoid collisions or other problems as they conduct their air campaigns at cross-purposes inside Syria.
Mr. Cook said the agreement would help ensure that jets kept a “safe distance.” He didn’t specify the distance or how it would be measured. Mr. Cook said the document would not be made public, citing a Russian request.
The document includes specific safety protocols for aircrews to follow, Mr. Cook told reporters at the Pentagon. “These protocols include maintaining professional airmanship at all times, the use of specific communication frequencies and the establishment of a communication line on the ground.”
Mr. Cook said the communication line would be used only if the protocols weren’t followed.
The agreement doesn’t spell out any broader accord between Moscow and Washington, which are at odds over their objectives in Syria. The U.S. wants to aid moderate rebels against both the Islamic State extremist group while also favoring the removal of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. Moscow is backing the Assad regime.
The U.S. has said it doesn’t seek to cooperate with Russia in any way, but would engage in the narrow goal of “de-conflicting” airspace in the Syrian skies to ensure the safety of all pilots.
The document doesn’t establish “zones of cooperation” or intelligence sharing, and doesn’t call for the U.S. to share its targeting information, Mr. Cook said.
“The discussions through which this MOU has developed do not constitute U.S. cooperation or support for Russia’s policy or actions in Syria,” Mr. Cook said. “In fact, far from it, we continue to believe that Russia’s strategy in Syria is counterproductive and their support for the Assad regime will only make Syria’s civil war worse.”
The U.S. has stressed that the Russians initiated the effort to create the air agreement.
http://www.wsj.com/article_email/u-s-russia-reach-agreement-on-syrian-flights-1445371698-lMyQjAxMTI1NDI2MTkyMDEyWj