PM en route to Moscow: Russia doesn't want to see nuclear Iran
PM lands in Russia for three-day visit; Russia says will increase monitoring of arms export.
By Yossi Melman and Haaretz CorrespondentPrime Minister Ehud Olmert told reporters while en route to Moscow on Tuesday that Russia does not want to see a nuclear Iran and is not leaking information on nuclear technology to Tehran.
The prime minister landed in Moscow on Tuesday for a three-day visit to discuss Russia's involvement in the Iranian nuclear program.
Olmert will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia's cooperation with Iran and the UN Security Council's difficulty to formulate a plan for sanctions against Tehran.
Olmert said that he would not discuss specific sanctions for Iran with Russian leaders, but would focus on ways to block Tehran from achieving nuclear capability.
Olmert also said Putin has been very cooperative regarding efforts to free Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit and even sent a special delegation of Russian representatives to Damascus to promote the issue.
Shalit was kidnapped by militants belonging to a group linked to the Palestinian Hamas movement on June 25.
The Russian delegation will meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and will send a message to Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, saying that Shalit must not be harmed in any way.
Olmert also addressed the issue of the smuggling of Russian weapons from Syria to Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon. The prime minister said Putin has promised him that he would not allow Israel's national security to be jeopardized.
Putin said Russia is obligated to supply Syria with weapons with which to defend itself, but he would look into the matter of arms smuggling.
The Russian government has told Israel it would increase efforts to monitor arms exported from Russia.
Though the statement referred to all arms deliveries, it will mostly effect Syria and is intended to block Syrian arms smugglers from transferring Russian weapons to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations.
The statement is regarded by Israel as a sign of goodwill on the part of the Russian government, in light of Olmert's visit in Moscow.
According to the new decree, any country that buys Russian weapons will be subjected to rigorous monitoring and Russian officials will be allowed to visit the country at any time to make sure the arms were not transferred to any other organization.
During the meeting, Olmert will also address matters important to the Jewish world. He will visit the most important synagogue in Moscow on Arhipova street. But since this synagogue has received extensive funding from Russian-Israeli businessman Arkadi Gaydamak, the prime minister has been advised to visit a Habbad synagogue backed by Lev Leviev as well.
In addition, the prime minister will meet with parents whose children were killed while serving in the IDF and the Russian parents of soldiers currently serving in Israel.
In addition to Putin, Olmert will meet with Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and if his tight schedule permits it, he will also meet with Russian Prime Minister Michail Fradkov.
|
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (center) arriving in Moscow on Tuesday night, ahead of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Reuters) |
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
They only built the nuclear weapons plant!!! Is Olmert stupid or does he just think the Jewish people are?
Russia is part of the problem and not part of any solution. Russia can exert positive force in the region but instead what does it do? helps Iran build its nuclear program, instead it supplies Syria i.e. hezbollah with weapons, instead it crushes any form of democracy that the people strive for. its time for Russia to accept the fact that the cold war is over and its ok for an alliance to be formed by the mighty powers of the United States and Russia. In addition Russia is facing a major internal struggle. Many of the top specialists be it doctors, scientists, philosophers, professors, programmers, etc are leaving the country and seeking better lives outside of Russia. This is leaving behind a complacent population that for the most part accepts the old style of government. Look at Chechneya, Russia is facing the same poison that Israel, the US and the rest of the free world is: CRAZY MUSLIMS WHO KILL IN THE NAME OF G-D!
he sure aint working for Israel. And Peretz, takes joy in the removal of Jews from their West bank homes. What a pair!
Israeli government not willing to hold peace talks with Syria - while whinging at the prospect of Syria being prepared to defend itself from the 'terrorist state?' What next? Israel going to bomb smithereans out of Russia?? SBS TV Australia, recently ran a news item featuring an interview with Syrian President Assad. He spoke with articulated English, and seems to be highly intelligent. Maybe Olmert is just 'saving face' by not having diplomatic peace talks with Assad - Olmert no doubt would feel inferior, given the inhumane despicable nature of Israel.
Everyone knows that that plant will make weapons grade plutonium as a natural byproduct of its operation, the same plutonium North Korea just used from it's nuclear plant to make an atom bomb test and the world did not stop them from getting the bomb. The Russians knew it all too when they agreed to build the Iranian plant. Talk and begging are meaningless. Israel must stop begging and take out Iran's nuclear sites by herself. Here's how --- http://www.neutroniran.blogspot.com/ That's the ONLY plan that would get ALL of Iran's nuclear sites. Russia won't do it. The "Quartet" won't do it. Only Israel can do it.
Russia already promised to fulfill many major points on Olmert?s agenda, like control upon supplied arms to Syria for Syrian defense only and not for transfer/ supply i.e. Lebanon terrorist organization etc. The by Olmert announced anti Iran discussion / measures to control / stop Iranian nuclear development will not be on the basis of actual steps. Olmert?s meeting with the Russian Defense Minister did not receive any specification. ? The visits to the Habbad and in Moscow, Arhipova Street are for Israel internal consumption, as both have in Israel separate donors. The meetings with families of fallen IDF soldiers and meetings with Russian Ministers will fill the agenda for this official visit which is part of Olmert?s regular change of air trips.
Putin must get a hoot over Olmert's idiocy. Does this nitwit think Putin will do as he asks ? Olmert really understands just one subject - palm greasing (i.e., how to get rich while a public servant ). I pray that this corrupt weakling will soon be forced out.
Putin cannot be swayed, it is the only western power that has any real influence in the area and on the arab street. America is a disaster, and Israel is hated throughout the arab and muslim world. Russia has the ability to reign in this region in ways that america can only dream of. Putin will not persue this path because it benefits Moscow much more to keep the status quo, namely, to have america continue to bleed, therefore staying out of russia's business and giving russia more leverage and to keep Israel, (what at times seems to be america's lap dog) in constant fear, further strengthening Moscow. Putin has played his cards right from the beginning! from crushing the thieving oligarchs to playing the mideast came to the T. Good job Putin! Now lets see what jokes Olmert has for you now. Without Russia, there cannot and will not be peace in Palestine or Iraq and Iran.
Where did you read of Olmert commanding Putin do do anything? He cannot do this, and is mearly requesting that the Russians help Israel's security by stemming the flow of weapons to belligerent regimes like Iran and belligerent war-instigating organizations like Hizbollah.
who is this idiot pretending to tell the Russians that they cannot sell nuclear technology to Iran?