Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., August 12, 2008 Av 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:23 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Foreign Ministry seeks lower profile for Israel in Georgia-Russia conflict By Barak Ravid and Amos Harel Israel is hoping to maintain a low profile with regard to the war in Georgia, government officials told Haaretz. One source noted that currently, neither side of the conflict is pleased with Israel's position, since Russia has been irked by Israeli-Georgian weapons deals for some time, and Tbilisi is now frustrated by Israel's decision to halt arms exports. In a move which drew heavy criticism from defense officials, Israel's Foreign Ministry over the weekend recommended complete cessation of the sale of weapons and security-related equipment to Georgia in light of the fighting between its troops and the Russian Army. Advertisement "The Foreign Ministry's approach demonstrates a naively simplistic view and a lack of understanding of the complex world of the security deals which Israel is conducting with foreign partners," a defense official told Haaretz on condition of anonymity. Defense sources say the Foreign Ministry should limit its involvement in weapons exports to the regular channel the ministry uses for overseeing such transactions. The Foreign Ministry has a representative in the Defense Ministry's oversight unit for defense-related exports. "The ministry should stick to its mandate and not involve itself in a public discussion that can only compromise Israel's position," another defense official said. "We do understand the Foreign Ministry's interest in involving itself in security-related issues," the official added, alluding to the upcoming Kadima primary, in which Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will contend against former defense minister and chief of staff Shaul Mofaz, among others. These complaints came hours after Livni held a special meeting with senior staff yesterday to assess the situation in Georgia. No resolutions were made at the meeting; participants generally agreed that the crisis has passed its peak, and that the two parties are now seeking to end the hostilities and reach a cease-fire to restore the status quo. Livni did, however, release a short statement about the conflict, which resembles that made by several other countries. The Foreign Ministry said it "recognizes the territorial integrity of Georgia," and called for a peaceful solution to the conflict that erupted with Russia late last week. Stopping short of advising Israelis in Georgia to leave that country, the Foreign Ministry called on Israelis who are thinking of traveling there to reconsider their plans. Israelis who stay there, the announcement said, should keep travel to a minimum and refrain from visiting South Ossetia and Abkhazia - the two breakaway regions whose attempted secession Tbilisi has prevented since Georgia declared independence in 1991. Both Abkhazia in the northwest and South Ossetia in the north threw off Georgian rule in the early 1990s. Their move to separate from Georgia led to bloodshed as Tbilisi cracked down on the rebel regions. Serious fighting broke out in South Ossetia earlier this month with Georgian troops and warplanes pounding separatist forces in a bid to retake control of the territory. Russia sent forces to repel the assault. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Basic training IDF soldiers who taught Georgian troops keep an eye on the recent conflict. Boot camp 200 Palestinian teens graduate from Hamas summer school, prepare for battle with Israel.

Read & React PA negotiator: Israel may make two-state solution impossible Responses: 332 Barak questions if Livni would be 'wise' choice for premiership Responses: 96 IDF vets who trained Georgia troops: War with Russia is no surprise Responses: 64 VIDEO / Young Hamas campers now ready for battle with Israel Responses: 52 IOC: Iran swimmer who quit race with Israeli competitor broke no rules Responses: 58 More Headlines 00:58 Georgia President says Russia cut country in half 21:35 Israel to shut Gaza border crossings following Qassam strike 09:07 PA negotiator: Israel may make two-state solution impossible 21:39 Israel weighs proposal for new West Bank settlement near Jerusalem 20:05 IDF vets who trained Georgia troops say war with Russia is no surprise 00:53 Olympics / After his father's death, swimmer Alon Mandel sets new Israeli record 22:34 Kosher slaughterhouse worker abuse case fuels ethical kashrut movement 08:14 Haaretz newsletter: All the news from Israel direct to your inbox 23:26 Knesset to approve higher stipends for Holocaust survivors 20:40 Arkia cancels flight meant to carry Israelis out of Georgia 20:42 Egypt's ancient pyramids at Giza get makeover 20:11 Hamas summer school graduates now ready for battle with Israel 22:03 Hamas blames Egypt for deaths of 8 Palestinians in border tunnels 17:05 Tamir infuriates rightists by removing Jabotinsky from curriculum Previous Editions Select Day 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug 04 aug 03 aug 01 aug 31 jul 30 jul 29 jul

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Isaac Maimon at Dreamshoppe Special summer sale. Make an offer now. You will be surprised. MBA in Israel in English APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Yossi Avrahami Presents: New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved