A permanent representative for Yeltsin in the Middle East

Russian President Boris Yeltsin has decided to appoint a permanent Russian representative for Middle East affairs. The deputy chairman of the Russian administration said the permanent representative of President Yeltsin will hold regular visits to the capitals of the region's countries. He added that this post will be filled by one of the Russian foreign minister's deputies. On the talks held Thursday between the Russian president and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, the Russian official added that Arafat noted a Palestinian interest in a more active Russian role, as one of the Middle East peace process cosponsors.