Posted on 11/03/2003 1:00:55 PM PST by anotherview
Nov. 3, 2003
Sharon raises concerns over Russia's nuclear aid to Iran
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday hailed friendly ties with Russia and called President Vladimir Putin a "true friend of Israel."
Welcoming Sharon to the Kremlin, Putin said Russia would continue trying to help the Mideast peace settlement and added that recent violence in Israel had caused much concern in Russia for former citizens who have emigrated to Israel.
"We know Israel is striving for peace," Putin said. "The Jewish people have suffered a lot over the last decades."
Sharon, who arrived in Moscow Sunday on his third visit as prime minister, answered in kind. He said Israel highly values friendly ties with Moscow.
"President Putin is a true friend of Israel," he said at the start of talks. "We highly appreciate Putin's attitude, and his repeated personal safety guarantees for the state of Israel."
Sharon said Israel was ready to compromise for the sake of peace.
"I have repeatedly said during our meetings with President Putin that Israel was ready to make concessions in exchange for a real peace," Sharon said. "Israel is probably the only state in the world that is ready to make concessions even though it hasn't lost a single war."
Russian and Israeli officials said the two leaders would focus on a Russian-backed U.N. resolution on a Mideast peace plan and Israel's concern about Iran's nuclear program.
Israeli officials traveling with Sharon said the talks would also touch on proposals for improved intelligence-sharing in the international fight against terrorism.
Sharon tried to dissuade Putin from selling of Russian nuclear technology to Iran and to ellicit his aid in pressuring Iran into releasing information on Israeli navigator Ron Arad.
"Israel has made intensive efforts to free Ron Arad, but we believe now that Sheikh Obeid and Dirani cannot be used as bargaining chips," Sharon said. "The main question is whether we can afford to let Elhanan Tenenbaum languish in the hands of the Hizbullah, where his life is at stake."
Also on the agenda, the Russian initiative that would result in the UN Security Council's adopting of the Bush Road Map. Syria, a member in the Security Council constantly impedes the peace process, Sharon explained, and the council cannot therefore deal effectively with a peace initiative due to its current composition. President Putin agreed to reconsider the matter.
Sharon also requested that Russia define the Hamas as a terrorist organization.
President Putin expressed concern for the peace process and implored Sharon to do all he could to ensure a solution to the deteriorating situation. He mentioned the large influx of Russian citizens into the region. The Russian government was therefore watching developments carefully.
In addition to Putin, Sharon is also set to meet Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and Russian Jewish leaders before returning to Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening.
Russia's relations with Israel have seen a dramatic improvement since the Soviet collapse, and Moscow has played a role in peace efforts as part of the international quartet also including the United States, the United Nations and the European Union.
True friends don't help your enemies get nukes.
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