Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Moscow on Thursday (Oct. 18) to address Russia's support of Iran's nuclear program and arms sales to Iran and Syria.

Date:   10/18/2007 5:07:23 PM ( 17 y ago)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 18, 2007


http://www.theisraelproject.org


Israeli PM Makes Urgent Trip to Russia to Discuss Iranian Threat


Israeli PM's Office Communiqué on Olmert-Putin Meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Moscow on Thursday (Oct. 18) to address Russia's support of Iran's nuclear program and arms sales to Iran and Syria. The previously unannounced trip, described by a senior Israeli official as "a last-minute, urgent meeting," comes two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran and vowed to support Iran's pursuit of nuclear energy.

During his meetings with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, [1] Putin warned "outside forces" against using military means against Tehran [2] and told Khamenei that Russia was ready to "expand ties [with Iran] without limitations." [3] A joint statement issued by Moscow and Tehran spoke of "the closeness of Russian and Iranian positions over the key world questions and the development of cooperation to establish a world order that is more just." [4]

Putin also proposed a yet-undisclosed approach to resolving the nuclear stand-off between Iran and Europe, the U.S. and the U.N. [5] In addition, Russia closed a deal to sell Iran 50 jet engines for its air force. [6] Putin's visit to Iran was the first by a Russian premier since 1943. [7]
Olmert is expected to lobby the Russian president to join European countries and the U.S. in backing new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, which the U.N. Security Council plans to discuss before the end of the year. [8] According to Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin, Olmert "will be very clear on the Israeli position that in no way can Iran achieve nuclear capability, [and] that Iranian nuclear capability threatens the world, including Russia." [9]

Iran's nuclear program, which has been described by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner as "a real danger for the whole world," [10] is now reportedly comprised of almost 3,000 centrifuge machines, enough to start refining usable amounts of nuclear fuel.

Other European leaders also have voiced their concern about a nuclear Iran. "We want to, we must prevent Iran from developing its nuclear programme," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said. "Iran has blatantly crossed the red line." [11]

During their meeting, Olmert and Putin will likely also discuss a reportedly Iranian-funded arms deal in which Russia would supply Syria advanced surface-to-air and anti-aircraft missiles. [12] During the defensive war Israel fought against Iran-backed Hezbollah in the summer of 2006, Hezbollah received direct intelligence support from Syria, using data collected by listening posts jointly manned by Russian and Syrian crews. [13] Additionally, Israel maintains that Russian arms, sold to Iran and Syria and passed on to Hezbollah, were used against Israel during that conflict. [14] Iran is the world's most active state sponsor of terror, providing funding, weapons, training and sanctuary to numerous terrorist groups. [15]

Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be "wiped off the map," [16] also threatening that "anybody who recognises Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury." [17] Khamenei has stated that, "Whoever threatens our interests will see the sharp wrath of this people." [18]

According to Israeli government spokesman David Baker, in addition to discussing Iran's nuclear program and regional developments, Olmert is expected to address Russia's role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Olmert will likely air his objection to Russian attempts to bring about a Palestinian unity government by mediating between Fatah and Iran-backed Hamas. [19]

Russia's deepening diplomatic and economic ties are in stark contrast to the policies of France, Britain and the U.S., which are focused on curbing the Iranian nuclear program by imposing new U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran. [20] Iran has repeatedly breached its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and flouted the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Russia is a major provider of technology for Iran's nuclear program [21] and Iran is the third-largest buyer of Russian arms. [22] Iran is Hezbollah's main arms supplier. [23]



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