RUSSIA: ISRAELI PM BARAK VISIT WRAP (2)

(2 Aug 1999) Russian/Nat Israeli Prime Minister Barak - on a one day trip to Moscow - expressed concern to President Yeltsin about leakage of Russian nuclear rocket technology to Iran and Iraq. Barak, a moderate who was elected in May, has pledged to resume land-for-peace negotiations with Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians. Both Barak and Sergei Stepashin, the Russian Prime Minister, said the time was ripe for Syria to make peace with Israel. The Israeli leader Ehud Barak arrived in Moscow amid what appears to be the first real problems between Israel and the Palestinians since his appointment. Barak has pledged to resume land-for-peace negotiations with Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians. However, on Monday the Palestinians rejected Israel's proposal to put off a troop pullback until October. They claim such a delay raises concerns that Barak is trying to avoid some of his peace commitments. Boris Yeltsin also used part of the meeting with his Israeli counterpart to denounce "ugly manifestations of anti-Semitism" in Russia. There's been a series of incidents in recent months which have included bombings at synagogues and ethnic slurs uttered by several political figures. During talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, the Russian leader promised strong legal action. Politicians who have been said to have made anti-Semitic remarks, have escaped penalties to date. During the Soviet era, Jews suffered systematic discrimination, and many ordinary Russians still openly express anti-Semitic opinions. Meanwhile, Yeltsin also called for Russia to increase its role in the Middle East peace process. Russia and the United States are co-sponsors to the process, but the Americans have played a far more prominent role. Barak later held separate talks with Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov and raised Israeli security concerns about Iran and Iraq. Russia has good relations with both countries, and is helping Iran build a nuclear power plant, while also lobbying for an easing of international sanctions against Iraq. However, Russia denies that it's helping either country build weapons of mass destruction. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) "I spoke to Yeltsin, Stepashin and Ivanov about the concern we have about information and missile technology that goes to Iran from Russia and we are also concerned that Iraq has no weapons inspectors." SUPER CAPTION: Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin says the change of government in Israel marks a new opportunity for peace. Peace talks between Israel and Syria have been stalled since 1996. Both countries now say they want negotiations to resume. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "Moreover, as I see it, there is now an opportunity for the Syrian side to take an important step forward. If the nations of Syria, Israel, Russia, the United States do not to use this opportunity to take this important step forward, I find this unacceptable." SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Stepashin, Russian Prime Minister Barak claims Russia can play a bigger role in the Middle East peace process, especially in helping smooth ties between Israel and Syria. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) "I was impressed with Prime Minister Stepashin, President Yeltsin and the Foreign Minister. They three of them know President Assad well. The three understand that this is an important opportunity to create full peace between Syria and Israel. I am sure that we cannot allow to miss this opportunity." SUPER CAPTION: Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister In a symbolic gesture Ehud Barak gave his Russian counterpart a signed biographical book. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...