Haaretz
Nisan 29, 5765
Russian President Vladimir Putin
arrived last night in Israel on a historic, first-time visit by a Russian
or Soviet leader to Israel. The state visit, however, was overshadowed by
two diplomatic contretemps: an Israeli (and American) rejection of his
proposal for an international conference on the Middle East this fall, and
Israeli objections to his plans to sell armored troop carriers to the
Palestinian Authority and anti-aircraft missiles to Syria.
A
government source said last night that Israel would not allow the troop
carriers promised to the Palestinian Authority into the country. "First
let's see some steps toward peace and then it will be possible to
strengthen the Palestinian security forces, which are meanwhile taking
part in fighting against us," the source said. "The entry of any weapons
to the territories requires our agreement and we do not want to see
armored vehicles pitted against us."
The source said that if Putin
raises the issue of the armored carriers, he will be told that "now is not
the time" and it would be best to postpone any further discussion of it.
Israel is also against the Russian sale of anti-aircraft missiles
to Syria.
While President Moshe Katsav is the official host of the
40-hour visit, Putin will be Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's guest at a
luncheon today, where they will discuss political issues. Sharon will try
to persuade his guest to cancel the missile sale, on the grounds they
could filter through to one of the terror organizations based in Syria.
Putin has said the missiles are meant to prevent low-flying aircraft from
buzzing Syrian presidential palaces, a clear reference to Israeli air
force "messages" delivered to Syrian President Bashar
Assad.
Putin's proposal for an international conference on the
Middle East was raised in Cairo at his press conference with Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak, and was immediately shot down by "government
sources" in Israel and by White House spokesman Scott McClellan, who 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."
Government sources in Jerusalem made
clear that they would listen to Putin's proposal - which he said would be
defined as a gathering of the Quartet (the U.S., Russian, EU and UN
committee that is meant to shepherd the sides through the road map) - if
he puts it to them today during his luncheon meeting with Sharon. But
Israel's position is that the only political course is that laid out in
the road map, and that the only foreign power Israel will allow to mediate
between Israel and the Palestinians, is the U.S. The road map, said
government sources, calls for an international conference in the second
stage, but "first we have to execute the first stage, and that is our
understanding with the U.S."
Despite those differences, Sharon and
Putin will be able to reach understandings on the fight against
anti-Semitism, cooperation in the war against terror, a natural gas
purchase Israel is considering, space research, and commerce and
investments. It is not clear if Putin, who surprised Israel and his own
aides in March with the announcement he was coming to Israel, will raise
the issue of Jewish "oligarchs" residing in Israel whom he wants to see
stand trial in Russia.
Putin's itinerary is to include visits to
the Holy Sepulchre, the Russian Orthodox Church in Gethsemane, and
possibly a visit to the Western Wall, as well as a visit to Yad Vashem and
a meeting with World War II Red Army veterans living in Israel. He was to
spend this morning at the President's Residence, where he is to present a
sculpture by a famous Georgian artist depicting concentration camp
victims, and issue a joint declaration with President Katsav. The
declaration is expected to cover the history of Russian-Israeli relations
(including the quick USSR recognition of the Jewish state) and the common
struggle against anti-Semitism and terror.
Putin will lunch with
Sharon, Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Silvan
Shalom, and spend the afternoon at Yad Vashem and meeting with the
veterans. This evening, President Katsav is due to host a state dinner for
his guest and entourage, which includes government ministers and Russian
businessmen.
The Russian president is scheduled to leave the
country tomorrow after a visit to Ramallah where he will meet with PA
President Mahmoud Abbas, who welcomed his proposed peace conference. Putin
was said to be planning to announce the delivery of the armored troop
carriers at that Ramallah meeting, but Israel's sudden opposition to the
sale could sour that, unless Sharon changes his mind today on the
issue.
Jerusalemites, in any case, were warned yesterday that
traffic patterns in the city would be disrupted for the duration of the
Putin visit, as tight security measures were imposed on the
capital.