Olmert to visit Putin to discuss nuclear Iran

JERUSALEM, Oct 16 (Reuters) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to voice Israel's concern over Iran's nuclear programme when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Moscow beginning tomorrow.

''The Iranian threat and the developments on the issue of the reactor ... in North Korea will no doubt stand in the centre of talks I will conduct with the president of Russia,'' Olmert said in remarks to his cabinet ahead of the two-day trip.

Russia, a member of the Quartet of peace brokers in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has resisted US pressure for sanctions on Iran, which has refused to halt uranium enrichment the West fears Tehran could use to make nuclear arms. Tehran says its programme aims to generate power.

Olmert will express in Moscow his support for sanctions, said Israeli Foreign Minister Mark Regev.

The Israeli leader has said a nuclear Iran, whose president has called for the destruction of the Jewish state, would pose an ''existential threat'' to Israel.

''Both countries are involved in a series of issues where there are concerns about the Iran nuclear programme, what's going on in Lebanon and the Middle East peace process and we're eager to engage with the Russians on these issues,'' Regev said. ''There are mutual interests and mutual concerns.'' Iran, the world's fourth largest oil exporter, says it wants low-grade fuel for nuclear power stations. Its case has been sent back to the Security Council for possible sanctions.

Israel and the United States are also concerned about a 700-million dollar Russian contract to sell Tor-M1 anti-aircraft systems to Iran. Russia has defended the deal, saying the munitions were meant to be used only in self-defence.

Olmert was invited to Moscow for an official visit to mark the 15th anniversary on Wednesday of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union, which severed ties in 1967.

Putin visited Israel last year. Ariel Sharon was the last Israeli prime minister to visit Russia, in 2003.

ATOMIC REACTOR Israel and most world powers oppose Russia's construction of Iran's first atomic power station at Bushehr, which is due to open in September 2007. Olmert has said nuclear weapons in Iran's hands would pose an existential threat against Israel.

A spokeswoman in Olmert's office, Miri Eisin, said the prime minister also would raise the issue of Russia's ties with Syria, Israel's long-time enemy and a Russian arms client.

A senior Israeli official said diplomats from the Jewish state had discussed the issue in previous meetings with their Russian counterparts.

Eisin declined to comment on allegations by Israeli officials that Russian anti-tank weapons delivered to the Syria military were used by Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas against Israeli forces in a 34-day-long war this summer.

But Arkady Milman, Israel's ambassador to Moscow told the Russian Interfax news agency: ''This is a serious issue, and both Russia and we are concerned over it.'' REUTERS SAM BST2118