RUSSIA ANNOUNCES INQUIRY INTO AID TO IRAN ISRAEL LINE THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1998 Russia announced on Wednesday that it is conducting an investigation into nine scientific institutes and companies suspected of transferring ballistic missile technology to Iran, HA'ARETZ reported. The Russian announcement averted a vote in the United States House of Representatives which had been scheduled for Wednesday and, if passed, would have overridden President Bill Clinton's veto of sanctions against Russian companies involved in the technology transfers. Israel, which has been engaged in a two-year effort to persuade Russia not to transfer sensitive technologies to Iran, expressed strong approval Wednesday night toward the Russian decision. The reaction was particularly positive since the nine institutes and companies subject to the Russian investigation were on both Israeli and American intelligence lists presented to Moscow, officials said. Minister of Trade and Industry Natan Sharansky, the Government's coordinator with Russia, said Wednesday night, "We are very, very pleased with Russia's action."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
