Olmert to visit Russia for talks on missile sale to Iran

www.chinaview.cn 2008-10-05 19:30:50

JERUSALEM, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) --

The Israeli occupation government prime minister, Ehud Olmert, is expected to focus on Russia's sale of antiaircraft missiles to Iran during his upcoming visit to Russia, local daily Ha'aretz reported Sunday.

Olmert, who is scheduled to fly to Moscow on Monday, is expected to stress to the Russian leadership Israel's opposition to any missile deal with Iran, said the report.

A senior Israeli official said the visit is "focused on the security issue" and Olmert will raise the topic of the missiles in his three scheduled working meetings with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Olmert intends to emphasize that the missile sale would "upset the military strategic balance in the Middle East," and warn Moscow of the danger of the missile system being transferred to Iranian military ally Syria, added the official who did not give his name.

The Israeli military establishment is becoming increasingly concerned over talks between Russia and Iran about the sale of S-300 antiaircraft missiles to Tehran.

The deployment of these missiles would pose a major obstacle to any Israel Air Force operation against Iranian nuclear facilities, said Ha'aretz.

The S-300 is considered one of the most advanced antiaircraft missile systems in the world. Its launchers are portable and can be readied for use within a few minutes.

The missiles are capable of hitting aircraft flying at a maximum altitude of nearly 30 km, and have a range of about 150 km.The system's radar can detect dozens of different targets simultaneously, and engage several.

Another senior Israeli official said that Iran and Russia have held meetings on the issue in recent weeks.

"Contacts between our countries are continuing and we do not see any reason to suspend them," Anatoly Isaikin, general director of Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, said at an arms fair in South Africa about two weeks ago.

In recent meetings within Israel's military and foreign policy establishment, speakers have reiterated the need to stop or at least delay the deal. Senior Israeli military officials have approached Olmert to impress upon him the importance of dealing with the issue at the highest level of government.

The missile deal is one of the reasons behind Olmert's decision to go to Moscow despite his resignation.

Local media had reported that the outgoing prime minister and Russian leaders are also expected to discuss a number of issues, including Russia's arms supply to Syria, Moscow's objection to additional sanctions on Iran and Israel's peace process with the Palestinians.

Olmert has been serving in a caretaker capacity since his resignation in September. He had planned to visit Moscow earlier in the month, but the trip was postponed amid political uncertainty in Israel touched off by a corruption scandal that forced him to step down.

Under the Israeli law, Olmert will remain in office until a new government is formed. His deputy and foreign minister, ruling Kadima party's new leader Tzipi Livni, was asked by President Shimon Peres in September to form a governing coalition within 42 days.

Editor: Davd Du

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