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Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address in Moscow. The leader is set to set foot in Israel for the first time. (AP)
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| By israelinsider staff and partners April 27, 2005 |
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a meeting at the Kremlin in September 2002 (AP/File) |
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Russian President Vladimir Putin today meets with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to discuss a Middle East peace summit with the Palestinians that he had proposed to host this fall, an idea rejected by both Israel and the United States.
Putin arrived to Israel last night, marking the first visit by a Kremlin leader. He last visited the Jewish state 10 years ago before he was elected president. His first stop: the Kotel. Still, the fact that he is on an historic visit to Israel does not detract from the causes of increasing tension between the two countries.
During that visit, Putin is likely to be faced with Israeli concerns regarding Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran and the contentious missile sale to Syria. Israel has also expressed its concern about Russian anti-Semitism.
As was the case during Sharon's recent visit to the United States, the Prime Minister is again expected to present maps and intelligence reports on the Iranian nuclear program and the dangers inherent in Russian assistance to the project.
The Russians, however, have faced Israeli and American demands on the matter in the past, but have refrained from taking action. Recently, Putin declared that Iran should not be prevented from benefiting from atomic energy. It is therefore unlikely that his visit with Sharon will change the Russian stance.
In an interview with Channel One's Ayala Hasson last week, Putin said that trying to put restraints on Iran -- a neighbor of Russia -- would not be helpful. Russia's view seems to be that engaging Iran, rather than confronting it, would be a more effective way to reduce the risk of an Iranian bomb.
Also on the agenda is the Russian sale of anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. Putin told Hasson that while the SA-18 missiles would not affect Israel's security because they could not reach Israel from where they will be positioned, "they will make it difficult for low-flying aircraft over the president's palace" in Syria, a clear reference to occasional Israeli air force flights over Bashar Assad's residences.
Putin will argue that the missiles will be placed under Russian supervision, and that the only type being sent to Syria are jeep-launched so they won't end up in Hezbollah hands, Israel's major concern.
Although Putin has indicated the deal has been signed, Israel believes that until the missiles are delivered, it is not too late to convince Russia not to go ahead with the sale.
Sharon is also expected to address the issue of Russian anti-Semitism. "We are following with concern the fact that only recently, 5,000 Russian intellectuals signed a petition against the Jewish religion," one official said.
Last but not least is the issue of pensions. Yahad MK Roman Bronfman said Wednesday that Israel is abandoning the interests of new immigrants from Russia by refusing to raise the issue of pension payments during the Putin visit.
In a letter addressed to Katsav, Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Bronfman wrote that Russia's refusal to honor immigrants' pension rights is unconstitutional and also contradicts the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Moscow is a signatory.
Following the convention's enactment, a small number of immigrants who continue to hold Russian citizenship received pension payments. However, the vast majority of immigrants, among them veterans who served in the Red Army during World War II, have yet to receive their benefits.
Although the Foreign Ministry took an interest in the matter, it made no effort to include it on the agenda for Putin's visit.
Israel is morally obligated to ensure that the immigrants' rights are realized and are not to be discarded on account of the country's diplomatic interests, Bronfman said.
Tensions run both ways. Putin is expected to raise the issue of Russian "oligarchs" who live in Israel, particularly those wanted by Moscow over suspicion of criminal activity, dubious business deals, and large-scale tax evasion.
The three are a billionaire oil executive, a publishing tycoon and a former Putin ally turned Kremlin critic, who have all taken up residence in Israel in recent years under the Jewish Law of Return as Russia sought their arrests, rankling officials in Moscow.
"They are Israeli citizens and that's it," said Asaf Shariv, a spokesman for Sharon.
There are conflicting assessments about whether Putin will seek extradition of those oligarchs living in Israel, but Sharon has made clear he is against any such extradition. "I do not intend to turn anyone over," Sharon said last week. "Since the days of my youth, I have been opposed to turning over Jews. I am saying this in the clearest manner possible."
Still, as Putin is fond of pointing out, "the million Israeli citizens who speak Russian" create opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, ranging from a possible natural gas deal to counter-terrorist cooperation.
Once he completes his Israel visit -- over the next two days he is expected to visit sites including the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum and the Russian Orthodox Church in Gethsemane -- Putin is scheduled to visit the Palestinian Authority.
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