Russia to seek Israeli approval for Palestinian weapons deals

Tel Aviv, 17 Feb. (AKI) - Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov said on Friday that Russia would want Israel's go-ahead for any deal to supply the Palestinans with Russian weapons. Ivanov's remarks which were reported by the Moscow-based Interfax news agency came after Russia's chief-of-staff General Yuri Baluyevsky suggested that an arms deal could be part of talks with Hamas leaders in Moscow next month.

Breaking with the West's stance of no talks with Hamas unless the movement recognises Israel and renounces violence, Russian president Vladimir Putin has invited Hamas leaders to visit Moscow. Russian officials said the visit would take place in early March.

"Any supply of [military] technology to the Palestinians can be fulfilled only with Israel's agreement and [the weapons must be moved] through its territory," Ivanov told reporters during a visit to a military unit in the Moscow region, Interfax reported.

"This question is being considered only provisionally," he was quoted as saying.

Interfax said Thursday that the Palestinian Authority plans to buy two Mi-17 transport helicopters and 50 armored personnel carriers from Russia.

Baluyevsky said the helicopters would be unarmed, and were intended for transporting leaders. "Armored equipment is also intended for stabilizing the situation," Interfax quoted him as saying.

Ivanov's announcement on winning Israeli approval on a possible arms deal came as Israeli officials continued to express their objections to Russia's planned meeting with Hamas officials.