From prior posts: https://bigboardgaming.com/aegean-strike-turkish-missile-crisis-1989/
Vladimir Krychkov plane touched down in Damascus for no more than 45 minutes. Furious off loading of dozens of suitcases man handled by 3 brawny men at a time went largely unnoticed.
Vladamir was whisked to a secure location near the private aviation terminal. Where he met his man.
Operation Cedrus had been refined since its first writing in the late 70’s, Co-conspirators could execute the plan with Soviet ‘assistance’ within 48 hours, Lebanon was a shambles, and Syrian forces had defacto control. But this action would be a stronger declaration.
“I guarantee full support from the Kremlin and myself, resources will flow to you via commercial shipping and our airforce will stage aircraft here to protect your investment and your support. oh and dont worry about the Americans, their leader is a fool.” Said Vladamir. The man across from him nodded, an oily smile crept across his face…
BBC News June 10th 1989
‘The sudden and 100% effective coup in troubled Lebanon has left Turkish, and NATO officials non plussed. Intelligence failures are be questioned, and the finger pointing is extreme. All the while it appears Soviet backed Syrians have taken control and a key piece on the strategic map has been dramatically moved? ‘
CNN ‘Meanwhile Turkeys immediate provocative reaction was to close the Straits to all traffic, further inflaming tensions. NATO has had no comment, but peace activists decry the move. /We INTERRUPT this broad cast for BREAKING NEWS:
Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, took to a raised podium [journalists behind the scenes always laughed at this prop to compensate for Shamir’s diminutive height.] “Israel will not tolerate interference so close to its borders.” His bushy eyebrows raised in anger, his voice rising. “We cannot accept this situation. If the U.N. and NATO do not act we shall. As we have in the recent past. ”
June 11th 1989
“Brigadier, Moshi Levi is on the line from Tel Aviv, ahh…never mind, he has a message for you and NATO command. then he hung up..” :
The White House Emergency Briefing session:
“Mr President…we may have a problem, that woolly browed war monger has attacked Lebanon, and sent us a message that we cannot use his [our] F-16 to support any actions, as they are employed against the Syrians [i.e. Russians] in an air war over the Bekaa!” The Secretary continued,
Mr President we think the Russians are making a play, so do the Brits, they are asking for your support in calling Turgut Özal in Turkey…ahh yes Mr President the country…and ask him to support the Brits mining efforts of the Straits. Its the only way Russia can support Syrian except by airlift. we need to close those straits.”
June 12th 1989
The administrative assistant placed the sealed packet on the First Lord of the Sea’s desk:
Urgent- Most Secret- SITREP Naval Operation AW-03. – from Gibraltar Naval Base Commander:
HMS Spartan reports mission under weigh, with initial success. END.
