The Hindu : Russia helped 'heal PA rift'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003

International

International

Russia helped 'heal PA rift'

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW JULY 15. The Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov's talks with the Palestinian Authority leaders helped heal the rift between them, Moscow said today. ``We welcome the agreement to continue concerted work reached between (the PA Chairman) Yasser Arafat and (the PA Prime Minister) Mahmoud Abbas,'' a Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters in Moscow as the Russian foreign policy chief arrived in Damask on the third leg of his tour of the West Asia after talks in Ramallah and Amman.

``Russia has always advocated unity within the Palestinian leadership as a guarantee for upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and implementing the `road map' in their interests,'' the spokesman, Alexander Yakovenko, said. "Both Palestinian leaders positively viewed this Russian stand.'' Mr. Arafat and Mr. Abbas met on Monday after the Russian Foreign Minister held separate discussions with them. Emerging from the meeting Mr. Abbas was quoted by Russian television as saying that all problems between himself and Mr. Arafat had been settled. The PA premier had threatened to quit after Mr. Arafat criticised him for being too soft in his handling of the peace talks with Israel. However, Mr. Ivanov praised Mr. Abbas' "courageous stand'' in winning Israel's consent to partially withdraw troops from Palestinian territories. The Russian Foreign Miniser also reiterated Moscow's respect for Mr. Arafat, defying Israel's calls to boycott the veteran Palestinian leader.

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