Al-Assad expected in Moscow on Monday
Syria-Russia, Politics, 7/2/1999

The London-based al-Hayat daily said today that preparations are currently underway in Moscow to receive Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, who is expected to reach Russia on Monday.

A well-informed source in Moscow said the two sides will not be hesitant to declare the visit which has been postponed several times, most recently in April, when the visit was cancelled in the last minute.

The source added that the reason behind the postponement was that Damascus is upset over the invitation of Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon to visit Moscow just one day before the arrival of President Hafez al-Assad.

The Russian source continued that the beginning of July is the best time for the visit of al-Assad because the Russian President Boris Yeltsin might start his vacation on July 10. He added that preparations for parliamentary elections will start then.

The source noted that al-Assad's visit comes at a time when the new Israeli government will be established, a matter which will allow for both the Russian and Syrian sides to discuss the peace process.

The sources continued that during President al-Assad's visit, regional and international issues will be discussed as well as bilateral cooperation, especially in the military field.

Previous Stories:
  Contacts on president al-Assad's visit to Moscow   (6/2/1999)
  Syrian - Russian health accord   (5/29/1999)
  Russian sources deny President al-Assad to visit Moscow   (5/26/1999)
  Moscow denies news that Israel succeeded in convincing Russians to ban weapons to Syria   (5/14/1999)

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