TruthNews

Olmert Heads For Moscow For Talks On Iran Threat

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, October 6, 2008

Still acting as Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert landed in Moscow on Monday afternoon to discuss Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Russia’s weapon sales to the Islamic Republic as well as to Syria.

Olmert is scheduled to meet with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, but does not plan to see Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is still regarded as the main authority in the Kremlin. Because Olmert is not meeting with Putin, who is out of town, nothing will likely happen, according to Israeli government sources.

High on Olmert's agenda is Moscow's assistance to Iran's renegade nuclear program and its resistance to tighter UN economic sanctions against Tehran to force a suspension of its uranium enrichment activities.

The trip was originally planned for early September following the Georgia conflict, when tensions rose over Israel’s weapon sales to Georgia, and troubling Russian weapon sales to Syria. But the trip was delayed when Israeli police recommended to indict Olmert on corruption allegations.

Olmert still plans to talk with the Kremlin about Russia’s plans to sell the cutting edge S-300 antiaircraft missiles to Iran and Syria, which Israel is concerned will greatly restrict its free range in the air. Previously, Putin has vowed that Russia would not sell weapons in the Middle East that would threaten Israel’s defenses or alter the strategic balance in the Middle East.

Olmert will also discuss the Palestinian peace talk progress and Moscow’s interest in hosting another peace summit in the spring in follow-up to the Annapolis summit late last year.

Olmert will also deliver title to Sergei’s Courtyard in the Russian Compound in downtown Jerusalem to the Russian government, after the Israeli cabinet approved the transfer on Sunday; Putin has been working on regaining ownership to the prime locale for years.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Sunday that Russia was tipping the strategic region balance by selling arms to the enemies of Israel. While meeting with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, he called on Kouchner to use France’ diplomatic ties to stop Hizbullah’s military expansion.