Al-Assad gets a message from Putin
Syria-Russia, Politics, 5/30/2001

The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday received a message from the Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was conveyed by the Russian envoy Yegveny Primakov; about the tense situation in the region which threatens of increasing tension because of the Israeli practices.

The visit of the former Russian Prime Minister as a special Russian envoy comes amid a remarkable activity for Russia in the region; expressed by the Russian foreign ministry by declaring that it is delegating a special envoy to the Middle East next week; at a time when the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat is visiting Moscow.

During his meeting with Primakov the Syrian President called on the ME peace process cosponsors; the US and Russia to maintain an active role; according to international legitimacy resolutions and the Madrid's term of reference.

Following the meeting Primakov said that President al-Assad " precisely assesses the grave risks in the region;" but he gave no details on that.

As the Syrian official news agency SANA said that President al-Assad received a message from Putin pertains to " the situation in the Middle East and bilateral relations;" Primakov noted that " view points were identical in the regard."

Recently in Moscow; the Syrian defence minister signed several cooperation agreements with Russia including military ones.

However; Primakov's visit to Damascus in which he arrived from Amman coincided with the mission carried out by the US envoy William Burns to Damascus and also after several days from the visit made by the Israeli foreign minister to Moscow.

According to the Russian embassy in Damascus; Primakov will visit today ( Wednesday) the tomb of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in al- Qurdaha.

Later Primakov will head for Egypt and then to Libya and Tunisia and news reports he will also visit Lebanon.

An analyst in Damascus said that Putin is trying to revive the role Moscow used to play in the region as a strategic ally for several Arab states before the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Shara concludes a fruitful visit to Russia   (4/18/2001)
  Al-Shara in Moscow today   (4/16/2001)
  Al-Shara to visit Moscow   (4/12/2001)

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