Putin pledges to donate military equipment and training to Palestinians

[IronLionZion]

"In talks with Palestinians intended to help revive Moscow's Cold War-era regional influence, Putin was expected to discuss helping President Mahmoud Abbas strengthen his security forces.

Palestinians said Russia, which has dropped a proposal to host a peace conference after U.S. and Israeli objections, is offering armored vehicles and helicopters. Israel has already voiced concern about that.

Putin will offer 50 armored vehicles and two transport helicopters for Palestinian security forces, battered during a 4-1/2 year uprising, Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nabil Shaath told Reuters: "This will be coordinated with Israel because Israel controls our borders," he said.

But senior Israeli officials said any such offer would be unacceptable to the Jewish state, where Putin tried on Thursday to allay concerns over Russia's planned arms sales to neighboring Syria and help for Iran's nuclear program. "



http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=8343066

[drdon326]

1. Good....

then Isreal should give arms to the Chechen terrorists and see how he likes it.

[IronLionZion]

2. Strengthening Palestinian security forces may help fight terrorism

because they are going to need weapons and training in order to control the illegal militants. Putin isn't giving arms to the terrorist groups, he's giving it to the government forces and tried to get Israel to be a part of it. Somebody has to control the militants, and they don't repect Israeli authority.

[drdon326]

4. True.....

someone should control the militants...uhhh... freedom-fighters... or what they really are...TERRORISTS.

http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/000576.html

[Colorado Blue]

3. More on this, from Ha aretz:

Putin says he will help rebuild Gaza infrastructure

This is a fascinating article.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/570211.html

Putin: Palestinian extremists gaining power. Referring to the peace process, Putin said, "There are two approaches. You can pressure Abbas or you can support him. I believe that you prefer to press him. The Arab world tells me that Israel is not fulfilling its promises to assist Abbas. Pressure on him will do damage to both Israel and the Palestinians. The extremists are gaining power and may even get into power," he warned.

Putin surprised many by saying that former PA chairman Yasser Arafat "did not want to be a head of state, but rather the leader of a revolution. Abbas, however, wants to be the head of a state."

Putin told Sharon, "You visited me four years ago and told me about Abbas, whom I did not even know of back then. All your predictions about Arafat and Abbas were accurate."

Sharon said, "I am prepared and want to help Abbas, but not at the cost of Jewish lives."

Apparently, Putin might provide security as well as arms and choppers to the PA. I found his assessment of Arafat in line with what I've been finding on the 'net, including interviews with Eastern European sources. If he is correct, and he should know since the Soviets armed and funded the PLO, then the difference between Arafat and Abbas is indeed profound and Abbas should be encouraged and assisted in his quest, IMHO.

I just wish this didn't feel like a new Cold War. And one can certainly understand worries about more arms being funneled into the region. But, the P.A. needs to be able to deal with the extremists.

[IronLionZion]

5. I support Abbas

it looks like he really is reasonable. But they guy I'm more concerned with is Sharon. I think Israel needs more moderate leadership.

[DemBoom]

6. During the last round

Irael gave the PA 82,000 weapons. Starting in 2000, these weapons were turned on the Israelis.
Giving the palestinians weapons at this time is like pouring gasoline on a fire in the hopes that the gasoline will put the fire out.

[pelsar]

7. more weapons?

the PA doesnt need armoured personal carriers, they dont need helicopters....all they need are men on the ground with automatic weapons and intell. Their fight is against their own terrorists no more than that. If they have the civilians on their side, their battles will be short and quickly ended

any war with israel using conventional tanks, apcs will end up in a massacre involving many civilians (theirs), there is no need for that.

[IronLionZion]

8. the APCs and helicopters aren't really weapons

they are for transporting the security forces. Police use APCs all over the world including the US.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[IronLionZion]

10. Ambulances aren't very resistant to bullets

Armored vehicles are necessary in a place like that.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DemBoom]

12. Correcting confusion

Sorry for the confusing sentence...
I meant to say:

...they have little use for ambulances....