JERUSALEM, Feb 20, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Israel has bowed to Russian pressure and will suspend all arms exports to Georgia, Ha'aretz reported Sunday.
The Defense Ministry sent directives to all authorized dealers a few weeks ago, preventing the sale of arms to Georgia until further notice, said the report.
The Russian demand is based on the assumption that areas near the Russian border are serving as a refuge and bases of operation for Chechen rebels. The Russians said the Israeli arms could fall into Chechen hands.
Sources in Israeli arms industries expressed anger at the " shameful decision" that comes at a time when Russia has refused an Israeli request not to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Syria.
Israel has claimed that, likewise, Syrian anti-aircraft missiles could fall into Hezbollah's hands and be used against Israeli aircraft overflying Lebanon.
Israel has been an important arms supplier for Georgia in the past decade. The arms deals between the two countries have amounted to tens of millions of dollars in the past two years.