MOSCOW ANTICIPATES VISITS BY MIDDLE EASTERN LEADERS.

Signaling the Kremlin’s intention to remain active in the Middle East peace process, a deputy foreign minister said on August 20 that Russia was working to arrange for a visit to Moscow by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and also hoped to host Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the foreign minister of Syria. All of these visits, the diplomat said, should occur before the end of the year. (Interfax, August 21)

Tatarstan and St. Petersburg Agree to Cooperate.