IRAN
Iran develops air defense system comparable to Russia's S-300
Iran has developed its own air defense system comparable to the Russian S-300 system, the IRNA news agency said. Russia signed a contract with Iran on the supply of at least five S-300 air defense systems to Tehran in 2005. However, there have been no official reports on the start of the contract's implementation. Many experts believe Moscow refused so far to honor the contract due to pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv. Both the US and Israel have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program and have expressed concern over S-300 deliveries, which would significantly strengthen Iran's air defenses. (RIA)
Iran Tells U.N. Agency of Nuclear Enrichment Plans
Iran told the UN nuclear watchdog agency that it would begin enriching its stockpile of uranium to power a medical reactor in Tehran, effectively challenging the West to negotiate an alternative deal to supply fuel.. Iran’s nuclear program is one of the most contentious issues between the West and Tehran, which rejects Western suspicions that the country is seeking to build a nuclear weapon. In recent days Iran has sent a perplexing series of conflicting signals about plans that could move the country closer to producing weapons-grade fuel. By notifying the I.A.E.A., Tehran seemed to be taking a step further in its brinkmanship with world powers led by the United States, which is seeking a broad international consensus on tighter economic sanctions against Iran. (NYT)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/world/middleeast/09iran.html
MIDDLE EAST
Hamas hopes to continue contacts with Russia
Hamas has indicated a desire to continue working with Russia on Middle East peace efforts. The statement comes after Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal held talks with Russian FM S. Lavrov in Moscow today. Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip after kicking Abbas's Fatah party out of the enclave in the summer of 2007. Fatah now governs the West Bank. The groups are holding reconciliation talks mediated by Egypt, which proposed presidential and parliamentary elections in the summer. (RIA)
AFGHANISTAN
NATO chief wants Russia's role in alliance's operation in Afghanistan
NATO SG Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he did not rule out the possibility for Russia to join the alliance's operation in, Rasmussen believed Russia shared NATO's concerns over the current situation in Afghanistan. It would be uneasy for Russia to fight the spread of drugs produced in Afghanistan, if the southwestern country turned into a refuge for terrorists again. Russia could cooperate with NATO in Afghanistan in such areas as the training of pilots, the supply of helicopters, the training of Afghan military personnel and efforts to fight drug trafficking – Rassmusen added.(RIA)
U.S. Sees NATO Filling Gap For Afghan Trainers
The US said tit was confident NATO allies would be able to fill the shortfall of trainers and mentors needed in Afghanistan by reshuffling rather than expanding their existing troop commitments. New training teams are urgently needed if Afghanistan's security forces are to grow to a target of 300,000 personnel in 2011. US’s decision to push NATO member states to increase the proportion of trainers underscored the difficulty it faced convincing European and other states to make new troop commitments. (RFE)
Karzai Demands Halt To Afghan Civilian Casualties
President H. Karzai called for a halt to military raids on Afghan villages by the international coalition forces and a complete end to civilian casualties. Civilian deaths and injuries inflicted during operations by international forces have caused deep anger among Afghans and analysts say they encourage people to join the Taliban insurgency. Karzai also said it was very important that foreign NGOs, international agencies, and UN staff halted "parallel activity" to the Afghan government and work as its supporter, not its rival. (RFE)
