Wrap Your Mind Around This.
From left, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, meet in Moscow Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Abbas prepares for Moscow talks
The newly elected Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, is scheduled to have talks in Moscow with President Putin.
Mr Abbas, who was only elected a few weeks ago, has begun his first foreign tour in the Russian capital.
Russia calls for an independent Palestinian state
Jan 31, 2005 10:09:00 PM
.MOSCOW FES133
Moscow, Jan 31 (PTI) Russian President Vladimir Putin today called for the creation of an independent Palestinian state in West Asia and expressed hope that Palestine will take resolute steps to improve relations with Israel.
"Russia favours the creation of an independent state living in peace with Israel, which has the right to existence, and to a safe existence," Putin said after talks with Palestinian Administration (PA) chief Mahmoud Abbas here.
Russia backs Abbas as Middle East peace hopes build
Monday, 31 January , 2005, 17:55
Moscow: Russia pledged its "active" support Monday for the Palestinians amid growing signs of a revival in the long-dormant Middle East peace process as visiting Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas voiced "high hopes" Moscow would advance the drive to restart peace talks.
Abbas visits Moscow for Putin talks Mark Oliver and agenciesMonday January 31, 2005 The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, was today holding talks with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, at the Kremlin as he attempted to win Moscow's support prior to peace talks with Israel.
Abbas sees peace role for Russia
The new Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia has a key role to play in the Middle East.
Abbas meets Putin as Russia returns to Middle East peace talks
MOSCOW (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas takes a brittle new Middle East peace initiative to Moscow in the first direct engagement of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the conflict in four years.
Putin proposes Russia help in Middle East settlement
MOSCOW, January 31 (Itar-Tass) - President Vladimir Putin has promised Russia’s help in Middle East settlement.
He met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Kremlin on Monday.
“We hope very much that you will succeed to make decisive steps in improvement of the relations with Israel and in economic development of Palestine,” he said.
Russia ready to work on settling Mid-East problem-Putin
MOSCOW, January 31 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Russia’s assistance in a Mid-East settlement and hopes that head of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas will succeed in improving relations with Israel and will reach results in Palestine’s economic development.
What next on the Middle East peace process
The observers of Middle East conflict scenario have been overly optimistic about Israeli-Palestinian settlement this time around with a successor to redoubtable Yassir Arafat in place. Mahmood Abbas, the President of Palestinian Authority (PA) elected recently in a peaceful and democratic transition of power, is expected to revive the stalled peace process. Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, has already congratulated Abbas on his victory -- a sign that in all probability the talk will be in motion soon. The US, Israel's strategic ally in the Middle has also given a positive nod by inviting Abbas to the White House. Both Bush and Sharon once called Yassir Arafat the only obstacle to peace. With that obstacle now removed the road ahead for peace has, according to conventional wisdom, no barrier whatsoever.
Israel set for West Bank pullback
Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz has said Israel is ready to transfer control of several West Bank towns to Palestinian forces in the coming days.
THE CONCERNS are the inability of Mazen to maintain an infrastructure of security for both Israelis and Palestinians. The demands for any more release of Palestinian Prisoners is a security issue as well as an issue of justice in and for Israel. In Israel, the heartbreak of separation from settlements is real and compelling.
Who believes in Abu Mazen?
A recent poll shows that only one in four Israelis who described themselves as `moderately right-wing' believes Abu Mazen is a partner for peace. But that is the least of his problems.
"If you would just overcome your hatred," says West Bank Special Forces Colonel Bashir Nafa, "it would be easier for you to understand that you have an interest in synchronizing your actions with the Palestinian side." Nafa is a constituent of General Nasser Yousef, Abu Mazen's candidate for the Palestinian minister of the interior, which includes the leadership of the security forces.
Abbas to demand Sharon release 8,000 Palestinian detainees
GAZA - President Mahmoud Abbas, slated to meet Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon next week, will demand Israel release virtually all Palestinians held in its jails, sources close to the Palestinian leader said in Gaza on Monday.
They said the release of 8,000 prisoners was one of four key demands Abbas will make of Sharon at their February 8 parley.
I FIND THE POSSIBLITIES Russia is promising a better answer to a true and lasting peace than Bush's plans to USE Israel for the purpose of espionage against other Middle East countries and Iran and as a 'launching pad' for invasions into other sovereign nations.
My hopes....
