RUSSIA CRITICIZES ISRAEL OVER HOUSING CONSTRUCTION.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry strongly recommended on March 18 that the Israeli government reverse its decision to construct Jewish housing in East Jerusalem. (Itar-Tass, March 18) Moscow had made the same request during Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Russia. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat held talks with Russian leaders in Moscow on February 18-19.

Russian Fighter Program Put on Hold.