PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Start of his Meeting with Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the start of
his meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today (Thursday),
24.3.11, in Moscow:

"Mr. President,

We met here not long ago and have since spoken by telephone. It is true
that we have experienced earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand, and in the
Middle East and in North Africa. There have been floods, sandstorms, a
tsunami and fires. We had a massive fire and I called to thank you. You
sent pilots immediately. They showed exemplary courage and professionalism.
They made a great impression on us and I would like to take this opportunity
to thank you and Russian Government again for the rapid assistance that you
extended to us in our hour of need.

Now, other fires must be put out. None of us know how the shock, which has
struck the entire Arab world and a considerable portion of the Islamic
world, will end. I think that we have a common desire that there should be
stable, progressive and modern governments that aspire toward peace.

Israel, Russia and the entire modern world must prevent the establishment
here of radical, perhaps radical Islamic, regimes that could threaten the
peace of the region, of Israel and of Russia. One such regime aspires to
this result and that is the radical regime in Iran, which is not only
seeking to arm itself with nuclear weapons but is threatening to use them
against us, and is threatening to wreck not only any peace agreement but any
modern regime that arises. It wants to return us to the ninth century. We
have an interest in stopping the bad and advancing the good. I would be
pleased to discuss with you how to advance peace and security in our region.
I am anxious to discuss this with you.

Again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the
cooperation. We have many, many more areas in which we can cooperate."