Russia Keeping Busy inAffairs of theMideast(counterwieght toUS-Iran/Syria)

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-russia2feb02.story
THE WORLD
Russia Keeping Busy in Affairs of the Mideast
The Kremlin attempts to balance American influence in the region by quietly launching its own initiatives with Iran and Syria.
By Kim Murphy
Times Staff Writer

February 2, 2005

MOSCOW — Russia had grudging congratulations this week for the election in Iraq, but President Vladimir V. Putin is making it increasingly clear that the Kremlin does not intend to let the U.S. dictate the future landscape of the Middle East.

In meetings with leaders of Syria and the Palestinian Authority, Russian officials have asserted their nation's historic role as a counterweight to American diplomacy in the region and hinted that Moscow, which opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, is prepared to play a role in bringing stability to the country.

"The fact that the elections did take place is a great event, perhaps even a historic event for the Iraqi people, because it definitely does mark a step toward democracy in the country," Putin said Monday after meetings with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

"We realize that there is a great deal of work ahead both to ensure safe conditions for life in Iraq, and to restore full sovereignty…. Russia welcomes this event, and we will do all we can to bring about settlement in and around Iraq," he said.

But even as Moscow extended an offer of help in Iraq, it has been quietly launching its own initiatives with Middle East nations that the U.S. has criticized for suspected support of terrorism.

Over the last few weeks, Russia has made clear that it plans to continue supporting Iran's controversial nuclear power program, is determined to remain an active partner in the Arab- Israeli peace process, and may renew its Cold War-era role of arming Israel's Arab neighbors as a means of assuring military "balance" in the volatile region.<snip>