Roundup: Sharon Urges Bigger Russian Role in Middle EastIsraeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ended his three-day visit Moscow on Thursday, hoping for moreRussian involvement in finding a solution to the Middle East crisis."Russia seeks a balance in foreign policy and we believe the time has come when it should play a significant role in the (Middle East) negotiations," Sharon told the Russian ORT channel Thursday. Noting Russia's good relations with Arab states, Sharon said Russia and Israel shared common opposition to terrorist activities. He also called for a "more balanced" Russian attitude in the United Nations, where Israel usually gets few favorable votes, including those from Russia. The Israeli prime minister argued against the presence of international observers in the Middle East region, but said he was optimistic about future chances to reach peace. "We are ready for painful concessions for the sake of achieving peace, but there will be no concession in guaranteeing the security of Israeli citizens and the state, " he said. Sharon paid a visit to Moscow as Russia steps up its efforts to mediate to ease the Middle East tension. Sharon held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, but his extra second meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on the same day attracted more attention. Interfax quoted Israeli sources as saying that Ivanov informed Sharon about Putin's Wednesday telephone talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Their conversations, which Ivanov said were about "details," showed special significance in view of Putin's Wednesday decision to send Ivanov's Middle East envoy Andrei Vdovin to the region for an urgent mission "by appeals of both Israeli and Palestinian sides." Vdovin, who is to leave on the weekend for his fourth Middle East trip over the past three months, said his mission is "to support efforts aimed at overcoming confrontation." As before, he will visit Israel, Palestine and some Arab countries actively involved in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement. Russia will continue its mediation efforts by holding talks with a high-ranking Palestinian delegation, which will arrive here on Friday following Sharon's departure. Mohammed Abbas, secretary-general of the Executive Committee of Palestine Liberation Organization and head of the delegation, will hold talks with Ivanov and Russian leaders on Middle East situation. |
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