MOSCOW NUDGES NETANYAHU.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on June 1 urged newly elected Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue the Middle East peace process. Moscow pointed also to indications in Netanyahu’s Likud party platform that the new government would observe Israeli obligations under the current peace plan. Echoing earlier assertions that Moscow intends to raise its profile in the region, a ministry spokesman said Russia would continue to work "for the achievement of a historic peace between the Arabs and Israel" as cosponsor of the Middle East peace settlement. (Reuter, Interfax, June 1)

Eight Killed at Russian Military Checkpoints in Ingushetia and North Ossetia.