Peres: Russia is taking Iran seriously

The Jerusalem Post

President warns of Iranian threat at meeting with Estonian president.

President Shimon Peres warned of the threat a nuclear Iran poses, when Estonian president Thomas Hendrik Ilves visited Israel as the Peres's official guest on Monday. Ilves was received with a military ceremony and greeted by government ministers and businessmen.

Peres discussed the Iranian threat, saying "unfortunately, we have to deal with difficulties and threates. Just this morning, we heard [Russian President Dmitri] Medvedev's words about an American report that Iran will have a nuclear bomb in two years." Peres said, referring to Medvedev's comment at the Group of 20 meeting in Toronto that CIA director Leon Panetta's information on a nuclear Iran is "worrying."

"There is no doubt," Peres said, "that this declaration can not be taken lightly, because until now, Russia had doubts about Iran's seriousness and ability to build a nuclear bomb. Therefore, Medvedev's declaration is a serious change, and Israel apprectiates this development."

Peres added: "I emphasize again that the dictatorship in Iran supports terror, spreads fear and threatens many places with its nuclear capabilities."

Peres told Ilves "I welcome you with open arms. The respectable delegation that joined you shows the depth of the connection between our countries. I have no doubt that this visit will contribute to strengthening the friendship between Israel and Estonia, and significantly expanding economic cooperation."

"Israel sees Estonia as standing at the forefront of economic and technological developments in the 'Baltic tiger' area," Peres added. "This is a fertile ground for deepening our political and economic connections."

Ilves said "Israel can depend on Estonia to stand by her as a member of NATO and the European Union." He added that Estonia, like Israel, finds itself fighting for its right to exist as a state, and is working to expand its cooperation with other countries.