Taking a stance reminiscent of Russia’s cold-war, Soviet era, Russian President Vladimir Putin notified Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, that Russia will not cancel the sale of sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles to Syria, despite Israel’s objections.
Prime Minister Sharon disclosed Putin’s decision at a press conference held Tuesday evening for the foreign press. “We are not pleased with the sales of weapons to Syria,” said Sharon.
Sharon told reporters that Putin promised him at a meeting that took place over two years ago that Russia would not sell such weapons to the Syrians. Sharon said he would continue to maintain contact with the Russians “in order to settle this issue, and ensure that these weapons don’t reach terror organizations in Lebanon.”
Regarding the pullout from Gaza and the expulsion of its Jewish residents from their homes, farms, and factories, Sharon said that his plan “will be coordinated with the Palestinians.” He reiterated his opinion that Israel “needed to take painful steps”, adding that Israel is willing to make “painful compromises for peace, but it will not make any compromises with terror.”
Sharon said that the pullout plan will strengthen Israel’s hold on major settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria which “will be part of the Jewish state in the future.”
When asked about Israel’s reaction to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Sharon said it was “unnecessary to respond” to Syrian accusations of Israeli involvement. He did add, however, that Israel was not happy with the assassination which has the potential to destabilize Lebanon and Israel’s northern border. “It should not have happened. We don’t know who did it,” he said.
Sharon reminded reporters that many Palestinian terror groups have their headquarters in Syria, and that Syria along with Iran support Hezbolla terrorists operating along the Israel-Lebanon border. “Syria must allow the Lebanese army to deploy its forces along the border with Israel,” and withdraw its armed forces from Lebanon in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1559”, he said.
Prime Minister Sharon disclosed Putin’s decision at a press conference held Tuesday evening for the foreign press. “We are not pleased with the sales of weapons to Syria,” said Sharon.
Sharon told reporters that Putin promised him at a meeting that took place over two years ago that Russia would not sell such weapons to the Syrians. Sharon said he would continue to maintain contact with the Russians “in order to settle this issue, and ensure that these weapons don’t reach terror organizations in Lebanon.”
Regarding the pullout from Gaza and the expulsion of its Jewish residents from their homes, farms, and factories, Sharon said that his plan “will be coordinated with the Palestinians.” He reiterated his opinion that Israel “needed to take painful steps”, adding that Israel is willing to make “painful compromises for peace, but it will not make any compromises with terror.”
Sharon said that the pullout plan will strengthen Israel’s hold on major settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria which “will be part of the Jewish state in the future.”
When asked about Israel’s reaction to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Sharon said it was “unnecessary to respond” to Syrian accusations of Israeli involvement. He did add, however, that Israel was not happy with the assassination which has the potential to destabilize Lebanon and Israel’s northern border. “It should not have happened. We don’t know who did it,” he said.
Sharon reminded reporters that many Palestinian terror groups have their headquarters in Syria, and that Syria along with Iran support Hezbolla terrorists operating along the Israel-Lebanon border. “Syria must allow the Lebanese army to deploy its forces along the border with Israel,” and withdraw its armed forces from Lebanon in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1559”, he said.