Israel, Ukraine sign defense memo

KIEV, Ukraine [MENL] -- Israel and Ukraine on Sunday signed a defense memorandum that officials said will pave the way for joint ventures in the upgrade of Soviet weapons systems.

The memorandum was signed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on the first day of his two-day visit to the former republics of the Soviet Union. Officials denied that accusations that the tour was part of an election ploy to recruit support among Israel's large Russian-speaking electorate.

"My position is that we have to build relations with Russia, Ukraine and Georgia that are closer than those currently," Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon said.

Officials said the memorandum will launch the first formal talks on Ukraine-Israeli projects to upgrade Soviet tanks, fighter-jets and other equipment. Ukraine retains a large defense industry but has expressed interest in acquiring Israeli technology to both modernize its military as well as produce advanced weapons.

Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., Lod, and Elbit Systems Ltd., Haifa, have been the Israeli leaders in the modernization of Soviet systems, particularly the MiG-21. Officials said a focus of the Israeli-Ukrainian relationship would be the T-72 tank.

Netanyahu and Sharon also discussed with President Leonid Kuchma.their concerns over a reported Ukraine contract to upgrade 200 T-55 tanks for Syria.

The Israeli delegation will also visit Georgia and hold talks with President Eduard Shevardnadze in Tbilisi.

The highlight of the trip is expected on Monday when Netanyahu and Sharon will meet Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in Moscow. Israeli officials said the discussion will focus on what officials termed the accelerated Russian aid to Iranian military programs in an attempt by Teheran to fast-track its nuclear weapons and missile development.

Officials said the Israelis will demand an immediate halt to Moscow's aid and a crackdown on those illegally transferring technology to Iran's military programs. That message is expected to be repeated when Primakov meets U.S. Vice President Al Gore later this week in Washington.

Western intelligence sources said Iran is expected to complete development this year of its Shihab-3 weapons program, with a range of 1,300 kilometers.

Iran, Israeli officials said, is also receiving Russia's help in developing the Shihab-4 missile, with an estimated range of at least 2,000 kilometers. The officials said development could be completed within two years.

Officials said Moscow's offer to the United States last week to end relations between 10 Russian institutes sanctioned by the Clinton administration and Iran would not make a dent in what they said was the massive aid provided to Teheran's nuclear weapons and missile program.