Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., October 05, 2008 Tishrei 6, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:14 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

PM to ask Russia to halt Iran missile sale By Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies , By Barak Ravid The 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 tomorrow, is expected to focus on the issue during his visit, stressing to the Russian leadership Israel's opposition to any missile deal with Iran. Advertisement 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 in Israeli airspace, including over the Negev. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Forgotten peace French FM: I fear distracted world may forget Mideast peace process. Settlers vs. Shin Bet Daniela Weiss: Shin Bet behind attack on left-wing advocate prof. Sternhell

Read & React ADL: Financial crisis sparking anti-Semitic upsurge on Internet Responses: 353 UN General Assembly Chief: Some Security Council members are worse than Iran Responses: 99 Yoel Marcus: Israel won't top agenda for either McCain or Obama Responses: 70 Claude Kandiyoti: A red line is needed between Jews, Israel Responses: 97 Hezbollah: Ghajar, Shaba Farms will soon be liberated Responses: 101 Saudi cleric urges Muslim women to cover up all but one eye Responses: 62 More Headlines 00:56 Olmert to head to Russia for talks on missiles sale to Iran 23:26 Settler leader: Shin Bet behind attack on Sternhell 23:48 IAEA passes resolution urging Mideast nations to give up nuclear ambitions 22:26 French FM: I fear Mideast peace process could be forgotten 20:07 Palestinian Authority on alert for Hamas takeover of West Bank 22:12 VP debate / Palin beats the odds, fails to be field dressed by Biden 23:22 Fugee Friday Post III / From war-torn Sudan to a tiny classroom in south Tel Aviv 21:04 Iran: Natural gas conference in Tehran proof U.S., Israel pressure ineffective 15:08 Israel: North Korea supplying weapons to six Mideast states 16:57 Bush: Our economy continues to face serious challenges 19:16 Israeli Arabs mark anniversary of October 2000 riots 09:21 U.S. drops plan to set up diplomatic outpost in Iran 08:53 UN General Assembly chief: Some Security Council members worse than Iran 12:07 Saudi cleric urges Muslim women to cover up all but one eye Previous Editions Select Day 03 oct 02 oct 01 oct 30 sep 29 sep 28 sep 26 sep 25 sep 24 sep 23 sep 22 sep 21 sep

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