Sharon meets with Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose visit to Israel marks first trip to Jewish state by Kremlin leader, commends Israeli-Russian cooperation to fight terrorism
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for lunch at his office in Jerusalem Thursday after announcing his interest in combating terrorism together.
"You are here among friends, and our relations will even be strengthened," Sharon told Putin, who in return wished Israel a happy Passover. He even exchanged a few words in Russian and Hebrew with Sharon.
Putin, on a visit to Israel - the first by a Kremlin leader - was expected to discuss his proposal for a Middle East peace summit in Moscow with the Palestinians, an idea rejected by both Israel and the United States but praised by the Palestinians.
"There is an opportunity to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Putin said. "The key to solving it is in carrying out the understandings the two sides have reached lately."
Earlier, Putin met with President Moshe Katsav and discussed increased coordination between the two countries on fighting terrorism and strengthening diplomatic ties.
“The relations between the nations are developing well. It was difficult until recently to bring to mind such a visit and I’m happy we were able to carry it out,” he told reporters at a press conference following his meeting with Katsav. “We appreciate the relations of trust and mutual understandings between the countries."
"I see my visit as an important milestone in developing our ties in the future and increasing cooperation between the nations, especially regarding our common interests such as terror and battling anti-Semitism,” he said.
He added that Israel and Russia would also coordinate on economic and humanitarian interests.
Katsav said in response that Israel was "very interested" in developing and promoting its ties with Russia.
He added that he believes in Russia’s ability to aid the advancement of security and peace in the region.
"As a result of our conversation, I can say that I see Putin as a friend of Israel," he said.
The two then signed a decree pledging to combat terror and anti-Semitism.
"The two sides reiterate their refusal to accept the solving of international conflicts through means of violence and will continue to push for a just solution to the Middle East conflict," it read.
First visited in 1996
Putin visited the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem hours after landing in Tel Aviv on Wednesday and is expected to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum after meeting Sharon.
"The Holocaust marks the worst human suffering in history and cannot be forgotten," he said. "In our century, we must strive to make sure there is no longer hatred between nations, only brotherhood."
Putin last visited the Jewish state in 1996 before he was elected president.
He is scheduled to head to the West Bank on Friday to meet with Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and lay a wreath at the grave of Yasser Arafat.
After meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday, the Russian leader invited Sharon and Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to a Moscow peace summit to try to solve decades of conflict, but Israel said it could only abide by a “road map” peace plan, which Russia helped draft.
The plan was drawn up in 2002 by a “Quartet” of mediators that includes Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union. The road map calls for an end to violence, the dismantling of Palestinian terrorist groups and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
An official in Sharon’s office said Israel would not attend a peace conference held under international auspices, saying: "We only want American involvement, not other actors."
Abbas had said the Palestinian Authority would “commit” to attending such a summit and Palestinian officials said it could help prepare for final peace negotiations following a cease-fire agreement and a planned Israeli pullout this summer from the Gaza Strip.
But the United States, Israel’s biggest ally, said the time for an international conference was inappropriate.
Syrian missile, anti-Semitism deal on agenda
Sharon planned to discuss with Putin Israel’s concerns regarding Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran and Moscow’s sale of Strelet missiles to Syria, which remains in a state of war with the Jewish state.
Israel opposes the arms deal, fearing the missiles could fall into the hands of Hizbullah or Palestinian armed factions for use against Israeli aircraft.
Putin has said Russia would be able to monitor what happened to the short-range, anti-aircraft missiles it had sold to Syria and that they posed no threat to Israel, an explanation Israeli officials have rejected.
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The Russian leader has dismissed criticism by Israel and Washington over Moscow's plan to supply nuclear fuel for an Iranian reactor, saying the deal was for peaceful purposes and would not help Iran, sworn to Israel's destruction, develop nuclear weapons. Putin also said Iran should not be prevented from benefiting from atomic energy.
Sharon was also expected to demand that Putin take action against growing anti-Semitism in Russia.
"We are following with concern the fact that only recently, 5,000 Russian intellectuals signed a petition against the Jewish religion," one official said.
