RUSSIA LOOKS TO THE MIDDLE EAST.

A Russian diplomatic spokesman yesterday depicted Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov’s upcoming visit to the Middle East as a reflection of Moscow’s intention to play a more active role in diplomatic developments there. He also described the Middle East as one of Russia’s diplomatic priorities. Primakov is to visit Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian autonomy, and Jordan during the October 28-November 3 trip. (Interfax, October 17)

Russian Navy to Get New Strategic Submarine.