Olmert eyes Russia trip 'to discover what they're planning to sell to Syria' - Haaretz

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Last update - 00:36 23/08/2008

Olmert eyes Russia trip 'to discover what they're planning to sell to Syria'

By Reuters

Tags: Syria, Israel, U.S., Russia

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to visit Russian President Dmitry Medvedev amid concern about reports Moscow is considering arming Syria with advanced missiles, Israeli officials said on Friday.

One said Olmert might try to block such a deal.

Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev said final details for a visit had yet to be settled. Another government official said the trip would take place in the first half of September. A Kremlin spokesman said he did not rule out such a meeting.

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The Israeli official said Olmert, who plans to resign over a corruption scandal some time after his party elects a new leader on Sept. 17, wanted to "find out what Russia is planning to sell".

"Depending on the nature of the deal, he may try to block it," the official added.

Medvedev telephoned Olmert earlier this week ahead of a visit to Russia by Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israeli officials said.

This week, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a diplomatic source in Moscow as saying Syria and Russia were working on complex deals involving Damascus buying anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile systems.

Following talks on Thursday between Medvedev and Assad, Syria's state news agency denied reports in Russian media that Assad had said he was ready to host Russian Iskander missiles, which would be able to hit much of Israel and which are designed to evade anti-missile systems.

State Department spokesman Robert Wood said the United States was "obviously very concerned about reports that Russia may be providing weapons systems to Syria".

"They don't contribute to regional stability. And again I urge the Russians not to go through with these sales, if there is an intent to go through with them," he said.

Russia has said any arms sold to Syria would be "defensive".

Olmert made a hastily scheduled visit to Russia in October to lobby the Kremlin to support international efforts to curb Iran's nuclear development program.

Israel remains anxious not to antagonize Moscow and to seek its support for Israel's own policies in the Middle East.

Since Russia's clash with Georgia this month, Israel has sought to deflect criticism from Moscow over military equipment and training Israelis have provided to Georgia.

Israel and Syria have conducted indirect peace talks since May under Turkish mediation, after direct negotiations failed in 2000 in a dispute over the terms for an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in a 1967 war.

Olmert has said he will pursue peace talks until he steps down over a fraud and bribery investigation. His party holds a leadership election on Sept. 17, although it is possible that Olmert may stay on as prime minister for some time after that.

Related articles:

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EditorialU.S. to Syria: Do not meddle in Russia-Georgia conflict

On eve of Assad visit to Moscow, Israel and Russia discuss security

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1.	They don`t contribute to regional stability !!!!	23:35	\|	sven	22/08/08

2.	Russia & Georgia	23:45	\|	P. J. Casey	22/08/08

3.	U give weapon to Russia`s enemy and u whine when iRussia does the	00:09	\|	Libanais au Canada	23/08/08

4.	Hangin` out with my man vlad	00:21	\|	Gideon Reader	23/08/08

5.	Arming Syria	00:54	\|	Bruce Rubin	23/08/08

6.	Soon China will take over the Middle east	01:38	\|	Dragon of FIre	23/08/08

7.	TO TELL RUSSIAN ABOUT HOW TO CONDUCT ITS RELATIONS WITH OTHERS?	02:29	\|	indrajaya	23/08/08

8.	This. Is. Just. Too. Funny.....	03:12	\|	Johnboy	23/08/08

9.	Any action has definitely a reaction!	03:27	\|	Persian Hero	23/08/08

10.	HE HAS A LEGACY TO BE REMEMBERED	04:28	\|	indrajaya	23/08/08

11.	Of Course they DO contribute to regional Stability	05:21	\|	Just the Facts	23/08/08

12.	The Biblical way to get rid of nuclear bombs	06:02	\|	Shimon Cleopas	23/08/08

13.	Medvedev should put Olmert in his place	06:23	\|	Harold	23/08/08

14.	To #1 - You are 100% right!!	08:07	\|	Niva dos Santos	23/08/08

15.	Russia and Syria	08:16	\|	Alex S	23/08/08

16.	PM must go to Washington, not to Moscow.	08:57	\|	Vital	23/08/08

17.	Nukes is the way to go	09:13	\|	Motke	23/08/08

18.	For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction	09:48	\|	Natallie Durson	23/08/08

19.	US Weapons Sales to Israel Do Not Contribute to Regional Security	12:23	\|	Johan Odin	23/08/08

20.	Isreal Russia US	12:31	\|	Nate Levi	23/08/08

21.	Israel is a pawn in the game between America and Russia	13:06	\|	Natallie Durson	23/08/08

22.	#15 motke and nuclear threats	13:37	\|	no nukes	23/08/08

23.	Why is Israel not on Russia,s negotiations team	14:21	\|	Labhras	23/08/08

24.	"weapons to Syria don`t contibute to	14:43	\|	Jim	23/08/08

25.	It`s embarrassing that Olmert is still representing Israel abroad	15:00	\|	redmike	23/08/08

26.	#15 Motke	15:30	\|	Persian Hero	23/08/08

27.	Olmert is a discrace to Israel. No trips abroad	16:53	\|	Dish It Out	23/08/08

28.	Do we Israelis need to pay for a another trip for Olmert	17:01	\|	Living In Rishon	23/08/08

29.	When all is said and done	19:19	\|	Harold	23/08/08

30.	Israel and Russia are natural allies	19:24	\|	Voice of Reason	23/08/08

31.	15 Motke	19:47	\|	Ivan Petrov	23/08/08

32.	what gives with all of olmert`s trips to russia?	20:13	\|	yahn goodey	23/08/08

33.	what goes around comes around	21:27	\|	Ed	23/08/08

34.	Olmert vis Rus	21:30	\|	Dave Mende	23/08/08

35.	Russian Weapons	22:07	\|	Karl	23/08/08

36.	Olmert..a PM with a mission. What a blast.	23:53	\|	Stephen	23/08/08

37.	Sell who to what????	01:41	\|	julie	24/08/08

38.	Sell who to what????	01:41	\|	julie	24/08/08

39.	Olmert doesn`t need to travel to Moscow to find that out.	04:05	\|	Fortuna Benmayor	24/08/08

40.	Regional stability	05:57	\|	Palomudo	24/08/08

41.	Let Israel fight its own battles	06:53	\|	mystic	24/08/08

42.	Israel wanted to attack Iran from Georgia	07:08	\|	mystic	24/08/08

43.	Israel lacks virtue...	15:20	\|	Chad	24/08/08

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