On Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry sent an envoy to the Middle East and condemned the attack on a bus in the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel.
A statement said the attack should spur international efforts to revive negotiations instead of stall them, according to AP.
"We condemn this latest extremist sortie," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said in a statement. "This action was clearly aimed at disrupting international efforts to normalize the situation and form conditions for renewing the peace process ... and presents an open challenge to the international community," he said. "The main thing is not to surrender to this crude provocation."
Russian envoy Andrei Vdovin was sent to the Middle East region on Wednesday for talks with officials, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.
In the meantime, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat sent a letter to Russia's Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov calling on him to get involved in mediation efforts.
Zyuganov is a prominent lawmaker who came in second in 1996 presidential elections, but plays no formal role in Russia's Mideast policy. He openly backs the Palestinians and sent a letter of support to Palestinian leader earlier this month.
In response, Yasser Arafat wrote, "We value highly your loyal position and sincere support," according to a statement from the party. "We hope that in your contacts with the UN and with the co-sponsors of the peace process and international organizations, you will do everything possible to stop the bloody and ruthless war waged by Israel's occupying army." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
