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Last update - 09:09 05/10/2008
Olmert to head to Russia for talks on missiles sale to Iran
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and News Agencies
Tags: Israel News, Iran, Russia 

The Israeli military establishment is becoming increasingly concerned over talks between Russia and Iran about the sale of S-300 antiaircraft missiles to Tehran. The deployment of these missiles would pose a major obstacle to any Israel Air Force operation against Iranian nuclear
facilities.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who flies to Moscow on Monday, is expected to focus on the issue during his visit, stressing to the Russian leadership Israel's opposition to any missile deal with Iran.
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The S-300 is considered one of the most advanced antiaircraft missile systems in the world. Its launchers are portable and can be readied for use within a few minutes. The missiles are capable of hitting aircraft flying at a maximum altitude of nearly 30 kilometers, and have a
range of about 150 km. The system's radar can detect dozens of different targets simultaneously, and engage several.

A senior Jerusalem official noted that Iran and Russia have held meetings on the issue in recent weeks. "Contacts between our countries are
continuing and we do not see any reason to suspend them," Anatoly Isaikin, general director of Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, said at an arms fair in South Africa about two weeks ago.

In recent meetings within Israel's military and foreign policy establishment, speakers have reiterated the need to stop or at least delay the deal. Senior military officials have approached Olmert to impress upon him the importance of dealing with the issue at the highest
levels of government.

The missile deal is one of the reasons behind Olmert's decision to go to Moscow despite his resignation. One senior Jerusalem official said the visit is "focused on the security issue" and noted that Olmert will raise the topic of the missiles in his three scheduled working meetings, with President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The source noted that Olmert intends to emphasize that the missile sale would "upset the military-strategic balance in the Middle East," and to warn Moscow of the danger of the missile system being transfered to Iranian military ally Syria. That would bring the Russian-made missiles into the range of Israel Air Force aircraft flying within Israeli airspace, including over the Negev.

Related articles:
  • Olmert heads to Russia next week for talks on Iran and Syria
  • Olmert eyes Russia trip 'to discover what they're planning to sell to Syria'
  • On eve of Assad visit to Moscow, Israel and Russia discuss security
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      1.   I would suggest he roll up his sleeves and show them his muscles 01:22  |  umpteenth meetings 05/10/08
      2.   Israel should quit whining and playing games! 01:26  |  Dutch Dirk 05/10/08
      3.   Huh? 01:34  |  Axel 05/10/08
      4.   LOL, GOOD LUCK 01:25  |  yuri 05/10/08
      5.   If the S-300 antiaircraft missiles system`s radar can detect 02:25  |  Joseph.E 05/10/08
      6.   Upset balance of power? 02:46  |  Michael Fine 05/10/08
      7.   This is a joke - right? 03:10  |  Steve Beikirch 05/10/08
      8.   Israel will get closer to Russia in response to Obama admin 05:05  |  Voice of Reason 05/10/08
      9.   But can the S-300 shoot down a missile with a nuclear warhead? 05:06  |  Ian Robertson 05/10/08
      10.   # 9 Ian Robertson " Nabuchodonosor Was a Iranian " 05:24  |  Joseph.E 05/10/08
      11.   ian are you jewish ? 05:26  |  John 05/10/08
      12.   DEAD DUCK OLMERT STILL PLAYING GAMES 05:28  |  Sarah 05/10/08
      13.   #9 Ian Robertson...are you tired of life? 05:47  |  Dutch Dirk 05/10/08
      14.   #9 Ian 05:48  |  Joe 05/10/08
      15.   #9 Ian Robertson...I forgot to answer your... 06:25  |  Dutch Dirk 05/10/08
      16.   (2nd try) America has announced $6.5 billion weapons sale to... 06:40  |  Maureen Ann 05/10/08
      17.   As `CARETAKER` Olmert is still PRIME MINISTER? 06:50  |  Dolly 05/10/08
      18.   #15. US will never abandon Israel 07:04  |  BigBird 05/10/08
      19.   Can`t Imagine 07:57  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/10/08
      20.   Sarah # 12 - `DEAD DUCK OLMERT` is not so dead 08:27  |  The Threadmill 05/10/08
      21.   Russia intends to punish Israel for assisting Georgia 09:30  |  Adel 05/10/08
      22.   Victory 11:53  |  Victory 05/10/08
      23.   # 5 joseph 11:55  |  Axel 05/10/08
      24.   russia is not going to back away, remember georgia? 13:23  |  VIPER 05/10/08
      25.   #5, JOSEPH E, can`t bare a fair fight 13:26  |  VIPER 05/10/08
      26.   Let me guess 15:37  |  Mark Lincoln 05/10/08
      27.   Nothing From Nothing... 15:43  |  Cool B 05/10/08
      28.   #24 VIPER 16:38  |  Urani Diot 05/10/08
      29.   Olmert cannot resist last free trips and dinners 16:52  |  D 05/10/08
      30.   Hasn`t Olmert Done Enough Damage To Israel Already 17:09  |  Shepherd 05/10/08
      31.   Iran! Iran! Iran! 19:13  |  charles Emelogu 05/10/08
      32.   Dutch Dirk 19:15  |  Double Dutch 05/10/08
      33.   #.3. Huh? axel the genius from germany. 20:37  |  Stephen. 05/10/08
      34.   Russian`s goodwill shows it`s head 21:26  |  Jo 05/10/08
      35.   # 30 stephen 22:17  |  Axel 05/10/08
      36.   # 31 jo 22:20  |  Axel 05/10/08
      37.   Corrupt political and bribery offer 22:37  |  H.H.M 05/10/08
      38.   Sell missiles to Georgio, Ukraine and Poland 06:09  |  Maksim 06/10/08
      39.   Each action has a reaction. 15:47  |  ManintheMiddle 06/10/08
      40.   How to stop a bully 02:00  |  BT 07/10/08
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