Israeli President to Visit Russia, Ukraine, GeorgiaIsraeli President Moshe Katsav will visit Russia, Ukraine and Georgia next week, the first of its kind by an Israeli president, Katsav's spokeswoman said on Thursday.The visits, due on January 21-26, were arranged at the invitation of the presidents of the three countries, Vladimir Putin, Leonid Kuchma and Eduard Shevardnadze, Elisheva Braun- Lapidot said in a statement. This will also be Katsav's first trip abroad since he was elected last August. Braun-Lapidot said the visits "are aimed at strengthening Israel's relations with each of the three countries." During the visits, Katsav will discuss issues of mutual interest, including the Middle East peace process, and bilateral ties. He will also raise the topic of the fate of three Israeli soldiers seized by Lebanese Hezbollah guerillas on the Israeli- Lebanese border last October, as Israel hopes Russia will use its influence in the Middle East to help secure their release. During a meeting with the soldiers' families on Thursday, Katsav called on Hezbollah, which fought against Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon before it withdrew last May, to relay information about the condition of the three soldiers. Katsav added that Israel "is prepared to pay a heavy price for the soldiers' release." Hezbollah has refused to reveal information of the three soldiers, saying that Israel should release Lebanese prisoners in exchange for the information. |
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