RAMALLAH, West Bank - Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Friday assistance from Moscow for the Palestinian Authority to implement a programme of reforms and rebuild its economy.
"We support the efforts of President Abbas to reform the security services and fight against terrorism," said Putin during the first trip by a Russian leader to the West Bank.
"Russia will continue to offer aid to the Palestinian Authority to implement reforms and construct a state," he said at a press conference after holding talks here with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.
"We are currently examining several options with a view to Russia's participation in the rebuilding of the Palestinian economy," Putin added.
Putin confirmed plans to equip Abbas with two helicopters but did not mention a proposal to supply the Palestinian Authority with some 50 armoured personnel carriers, an idea that been rebuffed by Israel.
"We will give the Palestinian leadership technical help and deliveries of (military) equipment and training," said the Russian leader.
"In the first stage, we will deliver aviation technology, helicopters."
Putin, who held talks with Israeli leaders on Thursday, said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government understood the need to strengthen the moderate Abbas as he tries to put an end to the armed Palestinian uprising.
"Generally they understand that to bring order to the Palestinian territories, today's Palestinian leadership should have the necessary resources," he said.
"If we expect President Abbas to fight effectively against terrorism we cannot expect him to do this with stones."
04/29/2005 11:39 GMT