DATE=9/30/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SHARON / RUSSIA (L Update)

NUMBER=2-294684

BYLINE=LISA MCADAMS

DATELINE=MOSCOW

INTERNET=

/// UPDATES 2-294659, NEW DETAILS THROUGHOUT -- EDITORS PLS NOTE, SOME TEXT HAS BEEN REMOVED. AUDIO MUST COMPLY WITH TEXT ///

INTRO: Russian President Vladimir Putin told Israel's Prime Minister Monday that he welcomes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's compound. Mr. Putin made the remark following lengthy talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Moscow. V-O-A's Lisa McAdams has this report.

TEXT: Mr. Sharon received praise in Moscow at the start of Kremlin talks with President Putin focusing on a host of Middle East issues.

Mr. Putin said he welcomes Mr. Sharon's decision to remove the 10 day blockade of Yasser Arafat's headquarters.

/// PUTIN ACT IN RUSSIAN, FADES ///

Mr. Putin added that the decision must have been difficult to make but he said he believed it to be the right course of action.

/// OPT /// Russia is a co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process and a permanent member of the U-N Security Council. /// END OPT ///

During their talks, the Russian and Israeli leaders also discussed the possibility of U-S led military action against Iraq. Russia strongly opposes such action.

President Putin repeated his position that the top priority should be getting U-N weapons inspectors back into Iraq as soon as possible.

Mr. Sharon raised his concerns that Iraq and Iran are trying to develop nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them.

/// REST OPT ///

On Tuesday, Mr. Sharon is scheduled to meet the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy the Second.

His talks with the patriarch will reportedly deal with the church's call for a halt to Russian orthodox pilgrimages to the Holy Land, amid the ongoing violence. (Signed)

NEB/LM/AWP/KBK