Proliferators? Russia points to China, N. Korea

MOSCOW — Russia has pointed the finger at China and North Korea as the main missile proliferators in the Middle East.

Russian officials and strategists have rejected last week's testimony of CIA director George Tenet that Russia is the key supplier of missile and nuclear technology to Iran. They said this accusation purposely ignores the role of other countries.

"When you consider that the CIA's [status] soared in the Cold War era, it would be difficult to expect a balanced assessment of Russia-U.S. relations from its leadership," a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said. "But even considering this fact, a series of pronouncements made by George Tenet provoke, to put it mildly, bewilderment."

Konstantin Makiyenko, an expert of the Moscow-based Analytical Center for Strategies and Technologies said China and North Korea the leading exports in selling missile technologies to the Middle East.

In the parliament, or Duma, deputies criticized Tenet's assertions regarding Russia. Deputy speaker Vladimir Lukin opposed Tenet's assessment that Moscow and Washington are heading for a parting of ways.

"Yes, we have different interests, but I see no major opposite interests," Lukin said.

At the same time, Russia expects to score a huge defense contract with Iran during the March 19 visit by Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to Moscow. Russian defense sources said the deal could reach $2 billion over the next seven years and include the sale of aircraft and air defense systems.

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