RAMALLAH, 29 April 2005 — Vladimir Putin defended Iran over its nuclear program and sparred with his Israeli counterpart over a Syrian missile deal on the first official visit by a Russian or Soviet leader to Israel.

Reaching into history in a landmark visit meant to boost improving relations after decades of Soviet-era discord, Putin said Russia and Israel are linked by the Holocaust and the millions of Soviet citizens who died in World War II, as well as Israel’s large population of Russian speaking immigrants.

Putin also scored points with Israeli leaders by defending Iran’s nuclear policy but also warning Iran not to seek nuclear weapons.

“It’s necessary for our Iranian partners to reject the creation of nuclear cycle technology,” referring to recycling spent nuclear fuel, “and not to hinder placing all its nuclear programs under complete international control,” Putin said.

The statement by Putin, whose country is building a nuclear power plant in Iran, was perhaps his strongest call for Teheran to convince the world it does not want nuclear weapons.

But Putin, who said recently he was convinced Iran was not trying to build nuclear weapons, stressed that Russia’s cooperation with Iran was for purely peaceful purposes.

Israeli Vice Premier Ehud Olmert said yesterday that Russia is selling Iran components that can be used to make non-conventional weapons, and that Russia’s assistance to Iran is a cause of concern. Olmert, who took part in the Sharon-Putin luncheon meeting, told Israel TV afterward that the two “agreed on a number of practical steps” on security issues, but he gave no details.

Putin also defended a deal to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Israel’s foe Syria, a plan that has clouded improving Russian Israeli relations and has loomed over the historic visit.

Putin said the missiles could not be converted to portable use by terrorists without authorities being aware and repeated earlier assurances that the short range missiles were no threat to Israeli territory

“The only way you can come into contact with these missiles would be to attack Syria. Do you want to do that?” Putin said in a joint news conference with Katsav after their meeting.

But Israeli officials appeared unconvinced. Katsav said selling Syria missiles could hurt Israel’s attempts to fight terrorism — a jab at the Russian president, who called for strengthening cooperation against the common threat of terrorism.

Also, Israeli media reported yesterday that Sharon also opposes Russia’s plan to sell military equipment to the Palestinians. Palestinian officials have said Russia is interested in selling armored vehicles to their security services for use in riot control. Israel fears the armored vehicles could fall into the hands of militants. Putin is to meet Palestinian leaders today.

One idea that appeared to drop off the table was Putin’s proposal for a Moscow Mideast peace conference in the fall. Israel expressed reservations, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, accompanying Putin, played it down.

Lavrov said Putin did not suggest a summit but a “meeting of experts at the high level. There is nothing unusual about this as such meetings are held periodically.”

After Putin met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, a Sharon aide said Putin called Israel a strategic ally, and Israeli media reported the two countries will set up an instant notification system about terror threats.

In a day packed with symbolism, Putin strongly condemned anti-Semitism amid concern among Israeli officials about a rise of the phenomenon in Russia. He toured a stark new museum commemorating the Holocaust and presented a sculpture recalling its victims as a gift from the Russian people. “In the 21st century there can be no place for xenophobia, anti-Semitism or other forms of racial or religious intolerance,” Putin said after he was greeted by Katsav.

“This is not only our debt to the millions who died in the gas chambers, it is our debt to future generations.,” Putin said.

In the afternoon, he visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, which recently dedicated a new museum complex.

— With input from agencies