Russia Moves in Support of Syria, Iran, Hamas-Led PA

[Purveyor]

by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz

(IsraelNN.com) Russia's announcement Tuesday that it would work to promote international support for the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, its intention to supply missiles to Syria and its opposition to sanctions against Iran present a worrying trend for Israel.

Russian officials said that the agreement reached between the leaders of Hamas and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to incorporate the latter's Fatah terrorist organization in the PA governing coalition is sufficient cause to end the international boycott of the PA. The Western nations imposed the financial boycott of the PA in January of last year, when the Islamic fundamentalist Hamas organization swept the majority of the seats in the PA parliament in a landslide election victory.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the agreement reached in Mecca earlier this month between Fatah and Hamas shows "wisdom, reason and responsibility before the Palestinian people." He made the statement prior to meeting with Damascus-based Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal. The agreement has not yet been implemented.

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According to information received by Israel, Russia is set to conclude a deal, worth several hundred million dollars, to transfer thousands of advanced anti-tank missiles to Syria. Such missiles were used by Hizbullah during Israel's war in Lebanon this past summer and caused a large proportion of Israeli troop casualties during the 34 days of military confrontation.

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http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/121699

[peacetalksforall]

1. Will the leaders of Israel prefer the end of Israel before negotiations

just as the U.S. seems to be preferring bombing the hell out of Iran rather than negotiate.

Guess we're going to need a little ledger to keep track of 'sides' and weaponry.

[Eugene]

2. Russian Official: Hamas May Halt Attacks (AP)

Russian Official: Hamas May Halt Attacks

Tuesday February 27, 2007 8:31 PM

AP Photo MOSB104

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW (AP) - The supreme leader of Hamas has promised that the militant
group will end missile attacks and other violence against Israel, Russia's
foreign minister said Tuesday.

But Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said separately that the group is not ready
to recognize Israel.

"Hamas should use its authority to stop violence, including missile attacks,
against Israel," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after his meeting with
Mashaal. "We received confirmation that such steps will be taken."

Mashaal's reception in a European capital shows that Hamas is gaining at least
tentative support outside the Middle East. The visit reflected the Kremlin's
position that negotiations - rather than sanctions - are the best way to deal
with Hamas, which is shunned by Israel, the United States and the European
Union as a terrorist group.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6444578,00.html