MOSCOW LAUNCHES CYPRUS INITIATIVE…

Following a meeting with two Russian diplomats in Athens yesterday, Greece’s foreign minister thanked Moscow for involving itself in the dispute over Cyprus, and, in a swipe at the U.S., said that the UN should play the main role in resolving differences on the island. The dispatch of the Russian diplomats followed an announcement on January 27 that Russia’s Foreign Ministry intended to play a more active role in the region. (Interfax, January 27; Xinhua, January 28-29)

…Looks to Activate Role in the Middle East.