Putin defends missiles sale to Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin faced down Israeli criticism today, saying that Russia’s planned sale of anti-aircraft missiles to Syria and supply of nuclear components to Iran does not threaten Israel’s security.

Addressing Israeli fears that he’s affecting the region’s balance of power, Putin urged Iran to do more to show the world that it is not trying to build a nuclear weapon.

He also pledged to tackle the growing problem of anti-Semitism in his country.

Putin spoke on the second day of his historic visit to Israel – the first trip here by a Kremlin leader. The trip was intended to cement Russia’s rapprochement with the Jewish state and boost its profile in the international arena.

Putin was greeted this morning by the pomp of an official welcoming ceremony, complete with a military honour guard and Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders.

But the visit was shadowed by disagreements with Israel over Russia’s aid to Syria and Iran, two of Israel’s staunchest enemies. Russia has provided assistance for Iran’s nuclear programme and has agreed to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said repeatedly the missiles pose a danger to Israel and wants Putin to halt the deal.

Putin and Sharon were meeting this afternoon. Sharon, whose parents were born in Russia, greeted Putin in Russian and told the visitor he should “feel among brothers,” Israel Radio said. A Sharon aide quoted Putin as calling Israel a strategic ally of Russia.

Israeli Vice Premier Ehud Olmert said today 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 a Sharon-Putin luncheon meeting, told Israel TV afterward that the two “agreed on a number of practical steps” on security issues, but he gave no details.

Israel accuses Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, though Tehran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said today in the Hague, Netherlands that his country will resume its uranium enrichment programme – temporarily suspended in November – if talks with European nations this week fail.

The US announced yesterday it had authorised the sale of as many as 100 large bunker-buster bombs to Israel, which experts saw as a warning to Iran about its nuclear ambitions.

Putin defended the moves in talks with Katsav, who holds a largely ceremonial role, saying that Russia was sensitive to Israel’s security concerns. “Regarding Iran, we are working to make sure their nuclear ability is used for peaceful means.”

The agreement with Iran requires it to return all its spent nuclear fuel to Russia so it cannot be used for military purposes, Putin said. “I agree that these steps are not enough and we have to get Iran to agree to nuclear inspections,” he said at a joint news conference in Jerusalem with Katsav.

“It is necessary for our Iranian partners to reject the creation of nuclear cycle technology and not hinder placing all its nuclear programme under complete international control,” he said.

Putin also sought to allay concerns about the Syrian arms deal, saying the missiles should pose no threat to Israel. ”The missiles we are providing to Syria are short-range anti-aircraft missiles that cannot reach Israeli territory,” he said. “To come within their range, you would have to attack Syria. Do you want to do that?”

Israeli warplanes bombed alleged militant training bases outside Damascus on October 5, 2003 and have buzzed one of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s palaces.

Putin said he had personally vetoed the sale of longer-range missiles to Syria out of concern for Israel’s safety.

Officials who briefed reporters on the Putin-Katsav meeting Putin said Russia had already signed a deal with Syria for missiles with a range of 185 miles. According to the officials, Putin told Katsav ”then I checked and my experts told me that Israel has no way to intercept these missiles so I cancelled the deal.”

“We are taking the opinions and concerns of our partners into consideration, and not changing the balance of power in the region,” Putin said at the news conference. ”Israel has no problem here.”

Israeli media reported today that Sharon also opposes Russia’s plan to sell military equipment to the Palestinians. Palestinian officials have said Russia is interested in selling armoured vehicles to their security services for use in riot control. Israel fears the armoured vehicles could fall into the hands of militants.