Yeltsin refuses to meet with Israeli officials

Russian President Boris Yeltsin has refused to make any meeting with Israeli officials. Yeltsin, who arrived in Bethlehem on Wednesday to visit the holy shrines, said in statements quoted by Israeli Radio on Thursday that he has come to attend Bethlehem celebrations of the third millennium.

He added that his visit came at the invitation of the Greek Orthodox Church and the Palestinian Authority, stressing Russia's continued backing for the Palestinians.