Ha'aretz - 09.27.2004

Ha'aretz Daily

Russia, Israel discuss tighter anti-terror cooperation

By The Associated Press

MOSCOW - Russian and Israeli officials are planning joint training courses for anti-terror forces, Russian news agencies reported Monday after a meeting between Russia's top police official and Israel's National Security Council chairman.

Russia's Interior Ministry and the Israeli police service also plan regular workshops and meetings on the fight against international terrorism, the Interfax news agency reported following a meeting between Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's security adviser Giora Eiland.

The Interior Ministry, which is responsible for police, is stepping up cooperation with Israeli police "in sharing theoretical and practical ideas that may help detect crimes of a terrorist nature," Interfax quoted a ministry statement as saying. Ministry officials were not available for comment.

The statement also said Russia and Israel will seek to improve sharing of information on the activities of terrorist and extremist organizations and on their sources of financing, including by creating databases with information on international terrorist organizations and their leaders, Interfax reported.

The Russian ministry called for the creation of a joint working group to coordinate cooperation in air transport security, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. It was not clear how the Israeli delegation responded to the suggestion.

The meeting in Moscow came a month after two Russian passenger jets crashed almost simultaneously after explosions authorities believe were caused by terrorist bombs, killing 90 people. The crashes were followed by a Moscow suicide bombing that killed 10 people and the hostage-taking raid on a school in southern Russia that left more than 330 dead, many of them children.