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Moscow makes no promises on arms sales to Syria, Iran By Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies , By Yossi Melman MOSCOW-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday he received assurances that Russia would not allow Israel's security to be threatened, but offered no indication he won the concrete promises he sought on Russian arms sales or sanctions on Iran. After meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Olmert also said Israel was not prepared to tolerate a situation in which Iran possesses nuclear weapons, but will not take the lead in preventing it from gaining nuclear capability. Advertisement Olmert did not receive a clear commitment that Russia would refrain from supplying Syria with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles or sell advanced weapons to Iran. However, he said he succeeded in getting Medvedev to understand his fears that Russian-made missiles and other technology could fall into the hands of anti-Israeli militants in the region. "My feeling is the Russian government understands well the Israeli position and is aware of the possible influence such supplying could have on stability in the region," Olmert told reporters traveling with him. The two leaders agreed to open a permanent line of dialogue on defense issues and set up a "strategic team" to continue discussing the weapons sales. "Russia's policy will continue to be that it would not hurt Israeli security under any circumstances," Olmert said Medvedev told him in the course of a two-hour meeting at the Kremlin. "We agree to upgrade our economic, defensive and strategic ties. We agreed to set up a new mechanism to ensure continuous contacts on these issues," he said. Olmert distanced himself from talk of attacking Iran, saying: "I have never announced that [Israel] intends to attack Iran and I have not presented a specific plan for a military operation and I have not suggested a date for this. On the contrary, I've noted that there is exaggeration in Israeli statements on the subject." Israel is particularly concerned about sales of anti-aircraft missile systems, which could threaten Israel's air superiority over Iran and Syria and make it easier for Iran to protect its nuclear sites. Olmert also informed the Russian leader of Israel's decision to return the Sergei Compound in Jerusalem to Russian ownership, a decision Medvedev openly praised. Olmert invited Medvedev to visit Jerusalem. The Russian president said he would be happy to accept the invitation, as he has not been to the country in a long time. Meanwhile, Olmert refused to say whether Israel had made a strategic decision about what the country would do in case of another war with Hezbollah. The head of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, was recently quoted as saying that in another such war, Israel would attack aggressively and bomb Lebanese villages. Olmert would not comment on the content of Shamni's remarks, saying: "Strong countries do not need to make announcements every few days, and therefore there is no need now to announce anything. The GOC of the Northern Command said what is his responsibility and I am speaking as the prime minister here, and that should be enough." Bookmark to del.icio.us   A man of peace Vatican defends wartime pope Pius XII against charge he turned blind eye to Holocaust. Feminine features An Iranian motor company unveils plans to design cars specifically tailored to women.

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