Russia Missiles Its Way Back Into the Middle East

[Islamic Revival]

As-salam alaikum,

Good article on Russia's recent visit to Israel and its re-entry into the Middle East. I found the background on relations between Russia and Egypt especially informative:


Any comments?


wa salam.

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Russia Missiles Its Way Back Into the Middle East


By K Gajendra Singh

Al-Jazeerah, April 30, 2005


www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2005%20Opinion%20Editorials/April/30%20o/Russia%20Missiles%20Its%20Way%20Back%20Into%20the%20Middle%20East%20By%20K%20Gajendra%20Singh.htm


"It (missiles ) will, of course, make it difficult (for Israeli jets ) to fly over the residence of the Syrian Presiden." joked Vladimir Putin, when asked about Israeli security fears on supply of Russian missiles to Damascus .



Vladimir Putin’s visits to Israel and Palestine , the first ever by a Russian President ,and to Egypt , 40 years after that of Nikita Khrushchev in 1964 in the wake of a deal to supply short range Russian missiles to Syria during the visit of President Bashar Assad to Moscow and exchange of visits with Prime Minister Recep Tayep Erdogan of Turkey , a Nato member, clearly heralds Russia’s return to the Middle East after decades. Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev’s March offer to mediate in 1991 Gulf War was brushed aside by USA.

But, both USA and Israel are trying to resist Moscow’s come back and rejected Putin call in Cairo, for an international conference on the Middle East. By the end of his visit in Israel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov back pedaled and clarified that his President’s proposal was misunderstood; he was thinking only of a meeting of experts rather than a high level meeting or a summit. Putin's visit is a concrete sign of improved relations between Russia and Israel as they work to overcome a complicated and troubled relationship dating back decades. It is essential for both sides that they discuss their differences.

During Bashar’s Moscow visit ,Russia wrote off nearly $10 billions of Syrian debt ,incurred mostly for military hardware supplied during the cold war era when the Soviet Union and Syria were close allies .The Russian missiles would provide the razor’s edge to make an entry and have a say in middle east affairs . Moscow has also offered helicopters and armored cars to Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Russia is slowly but surely muscling if not missiling its way back in to the Middle East , much to the relief of all except USA and Sharon . Against US disapproval, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer recently reciprocated Assad’s Ankara visit in 2004.



The strategic changes are consequence of US policies in the region capped by its illegal and ill advised invasion of Iraq, now turned into a quagmire. Killing of over a hundred thousand Iraqi civilians , human rights abuses and violations , destruction of Iraq’s infrastructure and looting of its wealth have made America hated all around the Muslim world , particularly in the Middle East . So Russia is being welcomed as a counter weight to USA and its policies of unfettered unilateralism in league with Israel. The latter was accused last year by Turkish Premier Erdogan of policy of state terrorism in Gaza.

Putin's predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, had attended an international summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik in 1996. Luckily the author was posted in Cairo in 1964 and was present at Aswan , when Khrushchev along with Egyptian President and the Arab nationalist hero Gamal Abdul Nasser , inaugurated the Soviet financed Aswan High Dam ‘s tunnels to change the course of the Nile with the press of a button and in Ankara in early 1970s when Soviet President Podgorny came a visiting Ankara .

Putin in Cairo;

After breaking the barrier south of Black Sea , with Putin’s visit to Ankara in February , which was reciprocated by Erdogan’s visit to Moscow , Putin began his middle east’s foray with Egypt , the most important country in the region , where he landed on 26 April for two days visit . Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the president of the Russian Federation's chamber of commerce and industry, Evgeni Primakov, a former Soviet foreign minister and well known Arabist, and directors of Russia's space, nuclear energy, and defense export agencies. were also in the delegation.

Federation Council International Affairs Committee Chairman Mikhail Margelov, a member of the delegation told Russian TV on 26 April in Cairo that "a new Middle East policy was an important part of Russia's policy in Eurasia." Egypt was the key state in the Arab world and Russian oilmen, defense contractors, and other specialists " where Russian industry was competitive," were active in the region.

In an interview in Moscow , Putin had told Egypt’s major daily Al-Ahram that his visit to Egypt was intended to bolster relations with a region with whom Russia had close relations . "My colleagues and I think we must start direct communications with Arab countries, starting with Egypt," said Putin .

Before Putin’s arrival to Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit, told the media that Egypt and Russia enjoyed deep rooted ties in all domains . They maintained contacts on a number of issues to coordinate their policies specially for a just and everlasting peace in the Middle East. Egypt appreciated Russian support for the Arab rights based on international legitimacy resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and for establishing a Palestinian State side by side with Israel. He said that Moscow had a pivotal role under the international Quartet Committee to implement the internationally backed roadmap peace plan for Palestine .

Cairo also applauded Russian efforts for an international agreement in combating nuclear terror. It was an essential step in fight against international terrorism , he added . Abul-Gheit also praised the increase in Egyptian-Russian cooperation in the economic, scientific, technological, cultural and educational sectors .He cited the example of establishment of a Russian University in Cairo . "Egypt never forgets those who support it at times of hardships." He concluded that it was natural to witness increasing cooperation among those who built Pyramids and those who built the High Dam (Aswan). It was announced that a street in the southern city of Aswan would be named after Nicolai Malishev, the Soviet designer of the High Dam. "It was a real pleasure for me, a rather unexpected one, but a real pleasure," Putin exulted.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry Rasheed Mohamed Rasheed told the media that Russian President's visit would give further impetus to ties between the two countries in economic and trade matters. He said that Putin's first leg of the visit to an Arab state marked a turning point in Egyptian- Russian relations for future cooperation. Egypt would like to benefit from Russia technological progress in modernizing its industry . Bilateral trade is growing well having doubled to over US dollars one billion in 2004. Putin's delegation included many Russian business executives who held talks with Egyptian industrialists interested in Russian technology. The two sides discussed sale of Russian trucks and anti-aircraft systems to Egypt.

After the summit meeting at the Presidential Abdin Palace, Suleiman Awad, a spokesman for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said the main point of discussion was the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The two leaders shared a similar approach to the Middle East problems, added Awad .The talks also covered Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, and proposals to reform the United Nations.

Putin called for an international conference on Middle East after discussions with Mubarak . Russia, along with the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, had sponsored the "Road Map" plan for an Israeli-Palestinian peace. The plan, which was to establish a Palestinian state by 2005, and signed in June 2003, has long been stalled basically by Israel , which is going ahead according to its own whims .Even when US President George W. Bush does not have to worry about the Israeli lobby for being elected , his call for a curb on new settlements was ignored by Sharon with some insouciance .

It is only a matter of time when the passions , frustrations and decades old anger of Palestinians explode once again .Of course then Sharon would talk of terror and carry on his policies of repression and expansion.

[Islamic Revival]

Brief history of Egypt –Russian relations ;


Since the decolonization of the region relations between the Middle East , specially Egypt , Syria, Iraq and others with the Soviet Union were very close .It is known that USSR once wielded tremendous influence in the region and backed Egypt and Syria and supported the Arabs in three wars against Israel .Russian ties with the Arabs cooled after USSR collapsed .

In 1960s and 70s, there were thousands of Russian military experts and technicians building Egypt’s High dam and industrial units but remained within their flats . Hosni Mubarak studied at a Moscow military academy as an air force officer .But now the Russian tourists flock to the Red Sea resorts..

Egyptians do concede that "The Soviet Union helped build Egypt as an economy and nation independent of the colonial powers," said Ahmed Thabit, a Cairo University professor and member of Egypt's new reform movement, Kifaya .He added ,” "From the Soviet times, we have the High Dam, we have the factories of heavy industry,". "All we see from the Americans is blue jeans, soft drinks and hamburgers."

After Egypt's quick defeat in the 1967 war with Israel. Egypt bought arms from the Soviet Union to rebuild its destroyed armed forces and brought in 15,000 Soviet troops and military advisers. But after the death in 1970 of Egyptian leader Nasser ,the close Soviet-Egyptian relationship ended under his successor, Anwar Sadat. In a surprise move, Sadat ordered the Soviets out of the country in 1972 , in part to free his hands to launch an assault on Israeli troops in the Sinai the next year. The Soviets were more interested in staying put and might not have approved of the surprise attack .The removal of Soviet influence was also a signal to Washington that he wanted to change over sides and make peace .

The 1973 attack , which rehabilitated Arabs honour and prestige ,quadrupled oil prices but cost Egypt dearly .Petty sheikhdoms and kingdoms became rich and started flaunting their wealth with little gains to Egypt , whose oil field still remained under Israeli control .Sadat also realized that it was difficult to defeat Israel , for in 1973 , US built an air bridge for unlimited supply of arms to Israel . So he went in for peace and return of Sinai and its oil fields. Sadat sealed Egypt's ties with the United States with his 1979 Camp David peace treaty with Israel. Now Egypt is the second-biggest recipient of U.S. aid worth some $2 billion a year, second only to Israel. But Muslim fundamentalists assassinated Sadat in 1982

Mubarak has been in power since the assassination of Sadat and gets himself re-elected and rules with an iron hand with under a permanent emergency regime . Mubarak helped US in obstructing efforts by Arabs to resolve the situation created by Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 .He along with most Arab states who joined in the US led coalition for various consideration , were suitably rewarded financially . Today, Egypt is the second-largest recipient of U.S aid , some $2 billion a year, second only to Israel ,but perhaps a reluctant ally of Washington.

Despite opposition at home Egypt continues to help out USA and Israel in the region . When Israel begins withdrawing its forces from the Gaza Strip later this year , Egypt is expected to cooperate to ensure security in the Gaza Strip , which adjoins Egypt.

As a senior Arab leader Mubarak would not be mind bringing Russia back into the Middle East, particularly in the Israeli-Arab peace process. More so as there is US talk of promoting democracy to divert attention from its disaster in Iraq .The so called democracy in Iraq under US bayonets is monopolised by exiles , embezzlers and former CIA and MIV assets .

Both Russia and Egypt are also opposed to regime changes as carried out by US supplied funds and training , specially when it wants to replace a hostile ruler or even a friendly one by one even more servile one , as in Serbia , Georgia , Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan .

Mubarak is under Washington's indirect pressure for democratic reform and scrutiny putting U.S.-Egyptian ties under tension . On that point, Mubarak got a sympathetic hearing from Putin, who is also lectured by US Administration of not being democratic enough . "Democracy cannot be exported from one country to another," Putin said at a news conference alongside Mubarak. When that happens, Putin said, "it becomes an instrument" to interfere in the internal affairs of another state.

"The visit to Israel is no doubt more important, but Putin's presence in Egypt will rekindle enthusiasm about long-lost ties," said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of the Russia in Global Affairs quarterly journal. "Egypt is a key power in the Middle East and Russia is keen to show it has an important role to play in world affairs," he added.


Iraq ;[/u]

In Cairo , Putin urged Washington for a withdrawal time table of foreign troops from Iraq ."There must be an agreement on a deadline and conditions for a (foreign) troop withdrawal from Iraq," he said at a joint press conference with Mubarak .The latter commented that he did not "believe that the situation will calm down" in Iraq and urged the United States to "redeploy its troops to deserted areas, away from cities where war conditions are always more difficult."

Mubarak added that Iraq will "face resistance and violence for a long time to come," and recalled that US decision to disband Iraq's army and police forces after the fall of Saddam Hussein was "a real catastrophe."

Putin added that the participation of all ethnic groups in Iraq's decision-making bodies and an agreement on the new constitution's principles were essential to stabilize Iraq. He expressed concern over "rampant violence" in Iraq, but hailed the election Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani to the presidency . Both Putin and Mubarak called for Iraq's "unity, sovereignty and territorial sovereignty" and supported the current political process, in a joint declaration issued at the end of the visit .

It might be recalled that US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said earlier that "We don't really have an exit strategy. We have a victory strategy. We are here for a mission to set the country on the path of democracy, freedom and representative government."

Vietnam is celebrating 30th anniversary of its freedom from foreign occupation , but 2 million Vietnamese and 58, 000 Americans had lost their lives in that war .


Middle East Peace Conference;. [/u]

The Palestine Israel conflict featured prominently in Putin's discussions with Mubarak.

“We reaffirmed once again our aspiration to achieve a settlement on the Palestinian-Israeli track based on United Nations resolutions and the roadmap,” said the Russian President at a joint press conference. Mubarak said they had agreed “on the need to maintain the momentum gained after the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in February and seize the opportunity to move forward the peace process after a four-year hiatus.”<br>
Putin also announced in Cairo that the Quartet of Russia, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations would meet in Moscow on May 8 to discuss the situation in the region and how to re-launch stalled negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.

“We propose the convening of an international conference in Moscow next autumn with the participation of all concerned parties and the Quartet,” he said at the joint news conference.
Putin indicated that “I intend to discuss this idea with my other colleagues who are interested in moving the peace process forward in the Middle East.” He added that he wanted to “reactivate the role of the international mediators.”<br>
Before arriving in Egypt in an interview Putin told Al Ahram , “We have always said, and we are saying today that the Palestinian nation has the right to create an independent state,” adding that
“Compromises are essential.” He believed that the parties to this protracted conflict have a chance. “I am absolutely sure that (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Mr. Abbas aspires for peace. And we must do our best in order to support him, in order to convince all Palestinian political forces to cooperate with him for the benefit of the Palestinian nation,” Putin noted.

When asked about a more active short-term Russian role in the Palestinian-Israeli relations, Putin answered that its active role would depend first of all on the position of the parties to the conflict. “We cannot and will not substitute the contracting parties. However, Russia … will take all necessary action in order to settle this conflict,” Putin added.

The Quartet has named outgoing World Bank President James Wolfensohn to serve as “special envoy” to help coordinate Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.


Palestinian Reaction;[/u]

While Palestinian leadership welcomed Putin’s proposal , the United States and Israel rejected the conference proposal as premature while the Europeans kept mum. A similar suggestion was made by French President Jacques Chirac a month ago.

“We hope it (the conference) will take place,” said President Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah. “We support the proposal totally,” Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information. Nabil Shaath told Reuters. “We hope that holding such a conference would help both Israel and the Palestinians to fully implement the roadmap for peace in the Middle East,” said Shaath.

Similarly welcoming Putin's offer, the Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said: “We need to specify the next steps, and an international conference would serve the purpose of resuming permanent status negotiations between the two parties.” Erakat said that the proposed conference could come after the completion of Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this summer and said it could help towards a final peace deal.

[Islamic Revival]

Israeli reaction;[/u]

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regeve said: “We are very wary but not against it in principle,” adding, that “we want to hear directly from him (Putin), what his idea is.” But he added,

“We have accepted the idea of a conference. It's in the roadmap, in the second stage. However, we are not even in the roadmap at the moment.”

Asaf Shariv, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the road map calls for a conference only in its "second phase," after the Palestinians have dismantled militant groups. "We are very far from that phase right now." He said , "I think it (the conference) is very premature." The first phase of the road map also demands a freeze in Israeli settlement construction. Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians have fulfilled their obligations. Palestinians do not have enough means to fulfill their part , more so as Israel finds one pretext or another to continue expanding settlements on occupied land , keeping Palestinian frustrations high.

Later, sources in Sharon’s office said that Israel would not attend a peace conference held under international auspices. “ We only want American involvement, not other actors,”


US Reaction;[/u]

Washington also swiftly rejected the Russian proposal . White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. “We believe there will be an appropriate time for an international conference, but we are not at that stage now, and I don't expect that we will be there by the fall (autumn),” Appreciating President Putin's commitment to the “roadmap” and valuing Russia as a “member of the Quartet,” McClellan continued: “We need to continue to focus our efforts on the (Israeli unilateral) disengagement plan,” adding, “We all need to do what we can to support the Palestinian leaders as they move forward to put the institutions in place for a viable democracy to emerge.”<br>

European Reaction;[/u]

The Europeans kept quiet on the Russian proposal, despite French President Jacques Chirac’s similar proposal earlier this month. On April 3 at a joint press conference in Paris, Palestinian and French foreign ministers Nasser al-Kidwa and Michel Barnier said: “France is proposing an international peace conference to be held in the second half of this year.”<br>
Then on 18 April , the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson clarifying Barnier statement “emphasized that the Palestinians should also be given a political perspective, and advocated the organization of an international conference before the end of the year.”

But Israel’s deputy Prime Minister Simon Peres , on a visit to Paris suggested to President Chirac and Barnier to focus on economic measures, and warned that political content would reintroduce the issues of Jerusalem and refugees, and stop the process before it had even begun. The French wanted to know what political horizon Israel proposed after the Gaza pullout, and expressed concern that the process would end with the disengagement.

On April 23, Foreign Minister Al Kidwa called for an international conference to help rebuild what Israel had destroyed in the occupied Palestinian territories during the last four years. He told the media in the West Bank city of Ramallah that it was “important to hold this conference in the frame of an international peace conference that Europe had asked.“We of course agree to holding an international peace conference according to the European and French proposals. A major part of this conference has to focus on rebuilding what had been destroyed,” added al Kidwa.


Visit to Israel;[/u]

“Vladimir Putin has come to Jerusalem to let the world know that Russia is back as a major player on the international stage and that it intends to play an active role in Middle Eastern affairs, “Aliza Shenhar, former Israeli ambassador to Russia, told The Jerusalem Post on 28 April

Shenhar, a member of Haifa University faculty and deputy mayor of Haifa, said that from now on, the countries of this region would have to consider Russia's interests as well as those of the US. She recalled a speech Putin made a few days ago, in which he said the collapse of the Soviet Union was a great geo-political catastrophe. "Putin wants to restore Russia's lost honor," said Shenhar.

Putin arrived in Israel on 27 April and went for talks with Sharon , which he continued the next day. The Russian- Israel Relations in nut shell are as follows ;

Soviet Union was one of the first countries to recognize Israel in 1948 but it severed diplomatic relations after Israel launched a surprise attack on Egypt in 1967. The two sides then remained across the cold war barrier . But in 1986 , USSR resumed relations, which blossomed when Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev lifted a ban on Jewish migration to Israel. More than a million migrants , not al Jews , came to Israel increasing Israel's population by 20 percent and making it more conservative .The policy was encouraged by right wing Likud Party , thus reducing the power of Israel’s historic labour party .Full diplomatic relations were restored by Moscow in 1991 just before the Middle East peace conference in Madrid .



Russia could have increased influence in Israel, where over 25 percent of the population emigrated from former Soviet states including Sharon’s family ." Before 1917 up to 40 percent of the land in British mandated Palestine belonged to the Russian crown. There was even a term 'Russian Palestine.'



In 2000 Russia was critical of Israel's handling of 2nd Intifada (Palestinian uprising) .Later it joined the United States, European Union and United Nations in a Quartet aimed at peacemaking process in the region . But relations between them became increasingly strained over Russian assistance to Iran's nuclear program. While Moscow and Tehran maintain that it is only for peaceful purposes , Israel, which is reported to have a nuclear arsenal of its own, along with USA accuses Iran of secretly having a program to build an atom bomb.



Another major irritant is Russian decision early this year to supply short range missiles to Damascus , Israel and USA expressed concern that these could fall in the hands of terrorists . Sharon told Putin on 28 April morning that he was also opposed to Russian plans to deliver armored troops carriers to the Palestine National Authority.



The Russians, however, have withstood Israeli and American opposition to nuclear cooperation with Iran .Recently, Putin said that Iran should not be prevented from benefiting from atomic energy. It is unlikely that Sharon would change the Russian position. 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 felt that engaging Iran, rather than confronting it, would be a more conducive way of reducing the risk of an Iranian bomb.

[Islamic Revival]

Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Israeli parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, said on 26 April that top officials he met with in Russia last week “made it extremely clear that they see it in their interests that Iran will not become a nuclear power.”



Recently Putin again clarified that 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 argued that the missiles would be placed under Russian supervision, and those being sent to Syria were jeep-launched type so they won't end up in Hezbollah hands, which was Israel's major concern. Defence Minister Ivanov confirmed on 26 April that Moscow would go ahead with Strelets missiles sale and that any assertion they could be made portable – and thus used by terrorists – was “like saying submarines could fly,” the Interfax news agency reported.

The deal has been signed, but Israel believes that until the missiles were delivered, it was not too late to dissuade Russia from delivery.

Israel’s media focused on differences between Russia and Israel, with front page headlines warning: “Sharon to Putin: Stop the Iranian Bomb” and “Security Sources: Putin Aiding Israel’s Enemies.” Sharon was said to be unhappy at Russian plans to sell armoured cars to Palestinian security services, fearing that the vehicles could be turned against Israeli troops if they fall into the hands of militants.

In Jerusalem, Putin insisted that Russia’s co-operation with Tehran’s nuclear program was “within the boundaries of peaceful purposes”, and said that Tehran should “abandon all technology to create a full nuclear cycle and also not obstruct their nuclear sites from international control”.

Putin’s assurances that the short range missiles cannot be modified were rejected by Israeli military officials, whose concerns were highlighted by Israeli President Katsav. “Despite steps taken by the Russian President to reduce the danger, we feel there is a danger of deadly weapons falling into the hands of Hezbollah,” he said. Putin also indirectly criticised Israel’s expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, urging that neither side "take steps which prejudge the final status" issues that are to be negotiated .

But despite the disagreements, both sides voiced satisfaction over the historic visit, "I am certain this partnership has good opportunities, all the conditions are there, but the main thing is there is joint will to deepen the co-operation," Putin said after talks with Moshe Katsav, on the second day of his visit. Katsav added: "I believe in Russia’s ability to increase stability in the Middle East and in the wake of our conversation I can say that I see Vladimir Putin as a friend of the state of Israel." Putin described Russia as Israel's "strategic ally," a statement from Mr. Sharon's office said.

Another subject discussed was the issue 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 Israeli official said. During commemorations of the liberation of the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz, Putin did acknowledge that anti-Semitism was a problem in Russia. He repeatedly condemned it ahead of his visit.

Putin strongly condemned anti-Semitism amid concern about a rise of the phenomena in Russia and presented a sculpture recalling the victims of the Nazi Holocaust as a gift from the Russian people. He visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, his head covered with a traditional Jewish skullcap, and laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance, where the ashes of Jews killed by the Nazis are buried.

Israel could have raised the issue of pension payments of immigrants from Russia .Pensioners’ spokesman said Russian refusal to honor immigrants' pension rights was unconstitutional and also contradicted the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Moscow was a signatory. Although the Israeli Foreign Ministry took an interest in the matter, it did not include it on the agenda for the visit.



Putin was to raise the issue of three Russian ‘oligarchs’ who live in Israel, and are wanted in Moscow over suspicions of criminal activity, dubious business deals, and large-scale tax evasion. "They are Israeli citizens and that's it," said Asaf Shariv, Sharon’s spokesman . Making it clear that he was against any such extradition , Sharon said last week ,"I do not intend to turn anyone over," "Since the days of my youth, I have been opposed to turning over Jews. I am saying this in the clearest manner possible," he emphasised

“There will difficult moments,” said Alexander Shumilin, director of a Mideast analysis centre at Moscow’s USA and Canada Institute. He called the visit “part of an effort to create a new profile for Russia around the world, and particularly in the Middle East.”<br>
Russia and Palestine;[/u]

During the Moscow visit of President Abbas’s in late January, as a "tangible show of support for Abbas and the Palestine Authority from Moscow" , Russia had offered to donate to the Authority two Mi-17 transport helicopters for VIP use to replace the choppers Israel destroyed in 2001. According to the London-based Jane's Defence Weekly, the Russians also offered to supply the Palestinians with 50 former BRDM-2 armored vehicles drawn down from the Russian Army.

The two Mi-17s would be used to transport Abbas and other Palestinian VIPs between the Gaza Strip and West Bank, as well as to Jordan. The PA had requested for Russian pilots and maintenance crew to support the aircraft, the weekly said.

The BRDM-2s would be deployed with Palestinian security forces, mainly in the Gaza Strip but also in the West Bank. The Russians had donated to the Palestinian security forces 45 BRDM-2s, but the IDF destroyed nearly all of them after the outbreak of Intifada in 2000.

"The armored vehicles are now ready for delivery but it depends on Israeli approval," a Palestinian official was quoted as saying. He maintained that the PNA did not need permission to receive the transport helicopters, as it had a right to these for the President’s Office under the provisions of the 1993 Oslo Accords.

Defense officials in Tel Aviv, however, said that they still needed to give approval for any Palestinian aircraft as they would fly in Israeli air space. So far, the Palestinians had not requested any approval, defense sources said. The armored personnel carriers are likely be approved, a defense official said.

Two Mi-17 helicopters used by late Yasser Arafat were donated by Russia 2000. The Egyptians had also donated two Mi-8 medium-lift helicopters in 1995. But on December 3, 2001, Israeli Apache helicopters destroyed Arafat's helicopter fleet in the Ansar neighborhood of Gaza City, not far from his residence.

[Islamic Revival]

The Palestinians and Russia also have a history of political and cultural cooperation .About 15,000 Palestinians - including Palestinian leader Abbas - studied at the Russian universities.

Palestinians view Russia as an important counterweight to U.S. support for Israel. ``Russia is a country that can, relatively speaking, neutralize - through its participation in the Quartet - a little bit of the American bias to Israel,'' Palestinian Cabinet minister Ghassan Khatib said.

On 29 April , Putin went the West Bank city of Ramallah to meet with Abbas and laid a wreath at the grave of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

At a joint media conference after 2 hours of discussions with President Putin, PNA President Abbas welcomed Putin's proposal to host a Mideast peace conference in Moscow in autumn to discuss the implementation of roadmap peace plan . The Russian leader said, "We are determined to reinforce our contacts with our partners within the framework of the Quartet Committee to help achieve progress in the Mideast peace process."

While reiterating his determination to continue implementing the plan while urging Israel to remain committed to its full implementation, Abbas said that force would be used against those who violate "the Palestinian national consensus." "All the Palestinian factions and militant groups have committed themselves to a Hudna (ceasefire) and the role of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is to protect this ceasefire and impose discipline in our territories," said Abbas.

Abbas and Sharon declared a mutual ceasefire at a Feb. 8 summit with major Palestinian militant groups having agreed to abide by the truce till the end of the year. But Israel repeatedly blames Abbas for not doing enough to crack down on militant groups.

But Abbas accused Israel of disabling the Palestinian security forces. Israel has destroyed all the Palestinian security headquarters in the Palestinian territories over the past four years of Intifada (uprising)," he said.

Putin also called on Sharon to support Abbas and the PNA, and reassured Israel that Russian help to Abbas would not come at the cost of Jewish lives.

Putin pledged that Russia would help rebuild infrastructure in Gaza and strengthen the Palestinian security forces. He reaffirmed the offer of two helicopters and 50 armored vehicles and promised to help train Palestinian diplomats and security officers.

“I think I can say the choppers are a done deal, but about the vehicles, we still don’t have a clear-cut answer from the Israelis,” said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat . Foreign Minister Lavrov, when asked if Israel wouldn’t be upset by the sale of armoured personnel carriers, he replied, “This is an offer not so much for Israel, but for the Palestinians.”<br>
To Israeli objections questioning the need for such vehicles, which could leave the plan in limbo, Putin said , "If we expect chairman Abbas to fight terrorism effectively, he can't do it with slingshots and stones. We must understand this."

(K Gajendra Singh, served as Indian Ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan in 1992-96. Prior to that, he served as ambassador to Jordan (during the 1990-91 Gulf war), Romania and Senegal. He is currently chairman of the Foundation for Indo-Turkic Studies. The views expressed here are his own.- [e-mail])