Putin warns Iran on nuclear arms
Russian leader defends Syria missile deal during Israel visit
Thursday, April 28, 2005 Posted: 5:55 PM EDT (2155 GMT)
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Vladimir Putin stands before a wreath in the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial's Hall of Remembrance.
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JERUSALEM (AP) -- On the first official visit by a Russian or Soviet leader to Israel, Vladimir Putin soothed his hosts by aiming sharp words at Iran over its nuclear program, but he sparred with his Israeli counterpart over a Syrian missile deal the Israelis see as a threat.
Reaching into history in a landmark visit meant to boost improving relations after decades of Soviet-era discord, Putin said Russia and Israel are linked by the Holocaust and the millions of Soviet citizens who died in World War II, as well as Israel's large population of Russian-speaking immigrants.
Putin also scored points with Israeli leaders by warning Iran not to seek nuclear weapons.
"It's necessary for our Iranian partners to reject the creation of nuclear cycle technology," referring to enriching uranium, "and not to hinder placing all its nuclear programs under complete international control," Putin said.
The statement by Putin, whose country is building a nuclear power plant in Iran, was perhaps his strongest call for Tehran to convince the world it does not want nuclear weapons. But Putin, who had said in February he was convinced Iran was not trying to build nuclear weapons, stressed that Russia's cooperation with Iran was for purely peaceful purposes.
Israeli Vice Premier Ehud Olmert said Thursday that Russia is selling Iran components that can be used to make non-conventional weapons, and that Russia's assistance to Iran is a cause of concern. Olmert, who took part in the Sharon-Putin luncheon meeting, told Israel TV afterward that the two "agreed on a number of practical steps" on security matters, but he gave no details.
He also defended a deal to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Israel's foe Syria, a plan that has clouded improving Russian-Israeli relations and has loomed over the historic visit.
Putin said the missiles could not be converted to portable use by terrorists without authorities being aware, and he repeated earlier assurances that the short range missiles were no threat to Israeli territory.
"The only way you can come into contact with these missiles would be to attack Syria. Do you want to do that?" Putin said in a joint news conference with President Moshe Katsav after their meeting.
But Israeli officials appeared unconvinced.
Katsav said selling Syria missiles could hurt Israel's attempts to fight terrorism -- a jab at the Russian president, who called for strengthening cooperation against the common threat of terrorism.
Also, Israeli media reported Thursday that Sharon also opposes Russia's plan to sell military equipment to the Palestinians.
Palestinian officials have said Russia is interested in selling armored vehicles to their security services for use in riot control. Israel fears the armored vehicles could fall into the hands of militants.
Putin is to meet Palestinian leaders on Friday, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters they would discuss how Moscow can help the Palestinians with security.
Another issue that analysts said would probably be raised, the presence in Israel of Russian tycoons the government wants to prosecute for alleged crimes, "was not brought up at all," Lavrov said.
One idea that appeared to drop off the table was Putin's proposal for a Moscow Mideast peace conference in the fall. Israel expressed reservations, and Lavrov, accompanying Putin, played it down. (Full story)
Lavrov said Putin did not suggest a summit but a "meeting of experts at the high level. There is nothing unusual about this. Such meetings are held periodically."
After Putin met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, a Sharon aide said Putin called Israel a strategic ally, and Israeli media reported the two countries will set up an instant notification system about terror threats.
Anti-Semitism condemned
In a day packed with symbolism, Putin strongly condemned anti-Semitism amid concern among Israeli officials about a rise of the phenomena in Russia. He presented a sculpture recalling the victims of the Nazi Holocaust as a gift from the Russian people.
"In the 21st century there can be no place for xenophobia, anti-Semitism or other forms of racial or religious intolerance," Putin said after he was greeted by Katsav.
"This is not only our debt to the millions who died in the gas chambers, it is our debt to future generations.," Putin said.
In the afternoon, he visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, which recently dedicated a new museum complex. His head covered with a traditional Jewish skullcap, he laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance, where the ashes of Jews killed by the Nazis are buried.
He wrote in the guest book, "We are deeply mournful of all the victims of the Holocaust. This type of tragedy must never happen again."
Avner Shalev, Yad Vashem's director and the new museum's curator, who gave Putin the tour, said the Russian leader was impressed by the exhibit and took a great interest in details, particularly events that occurred in the former Soviet Union.
"He was very emotional and especially moved by the small individual stories," Shalev told The Associated Press. "He very involved and spoke about the importance of the memories in the education of our generation."
Putin got a red carpet greeting in a leafy courtyard outside Katsav's residence, with an honor guard of Israeli soldiers, and officials and religious leaders shaking his hand.
The Soviet Union supported Israel during the Jewish state's early years, but relations soon deteriorated -- and eventually collapsed -- as Israel increasingly allied itself with the United States.
Moscow cut off ties with Israel in 1967 in the context of a Mideast war and strongly backed the Arab states. In many of its wars with its Arab neighbors, Israel found itself facing Soviet-trained pilots flying Soviet MiGs fighter jets.
Moscow also barred Jews from leaving, jailing many who demanded the right to emigrate to Israel.
The two nations restored ties in 1991, months before the Soviet Union collapsed, and looser emigration restrictions prompted more than a million Russian speakers to immigrate here. Nation Sharansky, a Jewish emigration activist who spent nine years in a Soviet jail on an espionage charge, is now Israel's minister for Diaspora affairs.
"It's true that relations have developed quite well in recent years, but still not long ago at all it would have been impossible to imagine an official visit by the Russian head of state to Israel," Putin said. "It is a good sign."
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/04/28/meast.putin.ap/index.htmlTalk about, playing both sides of the fence.
Bob
Ezekiel 38:2 "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
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