…AS PRIMAKOV FOLLOWS CHRISTOPHER TO MIDDLE EAST.

During a whirlwind tour of the region that appeared to reflect Moscow’s intense desire to reassert its influence there, Primakov met April 20 in Damascus with Syria’s president and foreign minister, as well as with Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, who was also in Damascus. From there Primakov flew to Beirut, where he held talks with Lebanon’s president, prime minister, parliamentary chairman, and foreign minister. He was quoted as saying that Russia "regards it as inadmissible that sovereign Lebanon’s territory is being subjected to attacks." From Beirut, Primakov was to fly to Israel for a meeting with Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres. (Itar-Tass, Reuter, April 20 & 21)

Population of Sverdlovsk Unenthusiastic About Soviet Restoration…