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Last update - 12:01 22/02/2008 J'lem seeks hidden motives behind Russia's offer to host city's anniversary By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Russia, Israel, anniversary  Russia has offered to host and finance events to mark Israel's 60th anniversary, but an official source in Jerusalem cautioned that there are no free lunches in Moscow. The source said the Kremlin's "embrace of Israel" would bring it political benefits. "There are no free lunches where the Russians are concerned. They are doing this to gain influence and they won't hesitate to pour money into the Israel anniversary events," the source said. A few days ago the minister in charge of the 60th anniversary celebrations, Ruhama Avraham Balila, met senior Russian officials in Moscow. Vyacheslav Nikonov, the executive director of the Russian World Foundation, arranged the visit. Advertisement The foundation was established by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who wishes to reinstate Russia's past national glory, particularly among Russian expatriates. The foundation, which is sponsored by Putin's wife, receives large budgets and deals mainly with spreading Russian culture, especially the Russian language, around the world. A few months ago, Nikonov proposed to Yisrael Beiteinu MKs Robert Ilatov and Yosef Shagal the idea of organizing joint Russian and Israeli events in Moscow to mark Israel's 60th anniversary. Nikonov said he could introduce senior Russian officials to Israelis and hinted that Moscow would take part in financing the events. Ilatov, who chairs the parliamentary Israel-Russia Friendship Association, and Shagal contacted Avraham Balila and passed on to her an invitation to visit Moscow and meet Nikonov. The ideas proposed included performances of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gesher Theater in Moscow, meetings with authors and exhibitions of Israeli artists. Financing such events is estimated at millions of dollars, far above the sum earmarked by Israel's government for the 60th anniversary celebrations overseas. Avraham Balila also met the Russian deputy minister of culture and the chairs of the foreign affairs committees of both houses of the Russian parliament. While the officials did not suggest directly that Russia would finance the events in Moscow, senior Russian diplomats told Israeli colleagues that Russia may be willing to finance at least some of the events. Balila Avraham's aides said "the minister's work trip was carried out for the government of Israel and everything was done according to the rules and procedures. The minister met the Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, who proposed initiating a resolution in the European Council to hold a festive debate for Israel's 60th anniversary." Related articles: Rumors that Putin's successor is Jewish has community worried Sarkozy says will visit Israel this spring for state's 60th anniversary Bookmark to del.icio.us   The black sheep The U.S. freezes Assad's cousin's assets for trying to weaken Iraq and Lebanon. Pristina, Ramallah Yasser Abed Rabbo called on the West Bank to declare independence like Kosovo.   1.   That`s funny coming from a nation that helps Iran`s nuclear ... 06:31  |  Conroy 22/02/08   2.   Why Not Celebrate In Israel Mr. Putin? 07:50  |  Yosemite 22/02/08   3.   IT`S BECAUSE OF THE SABLE HATS!! 09:41  |  Iskander 22/02/08   4.   Russia living Christian Rennaissance 12:03  |  AliciaYasmeen 22/02/08   5.   Better the Russians than Radical Christians 12:25  |  Slibovitz 22/02/08   6.   They can perform traditional pogroms (oh, the red bear hug...) 13:45  |  Alain 22/02/08   7.   take the money. israelis needn`t worry about being `influenced.` 17:46  |  frenz 22/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: This November, I'm voting christian Responses: 46 Monopoly voting site drops country names after row over J'lem ownership Responses: 45 Ari Shavit: Time for Israel to show generosity toward Syria Responses: 34 Daniel Levy: Obama's change could be good for Israel Responses: 46 Iron Dome system found to be helpless against Qassams Responses: 131 McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother Responses: 52 Rosner's Domain Obama has a mainstream Democratic team (WTR) Guests: Jewish women don't want to be shut out What America wants from an operation in Gaza U.S. victims of Palestinian terror await gov't stance on compensation Poll: Is it important to have an Israeli-Palestinian agreement by the end of 2008? More Headlines 19:55 Nasrallah: We're preparing for war with Israel within months 19:34 IAEA: Iran not complying with nuclear program inspection 19:03 Hamas: We won't rule out any bid for cease-fire with Israel 18:06 Turkish army launches ground offensive into northern Iraq 14:59 McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother 18:01 U.S. to announce new aid plan for West Bank, Gaza Strip 17:52 Iraqi Shiites rally against Danish reprint of Muhammad cartoon 14:52 Thousands show solidarity with Qassam-stricken Sderot 08:47 Iron Dome system found to be helpless against Qassams 14:58 Actor Will Smith receives damages over alleged praise for Hitler Previous Editions Select Day 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb

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