RUSSIAN ENVOY IN DAMASCUS.

Russian deputy foreign minister Viktor Posuvalyuk held talks in Syria yesterday on the first leg of a trip that will also take him to Lebanon, Jordan, and, possibly, Israel. According to Russian diplomats, Posuvalyuk raised with his Syrian counterpart, Rislan Allouch, proposals that had been discussed by Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov and French leaders during Primakov’s recent visit to Paris. Posuvalyuk is reportedly emphasizing the need to restart stalled Israeli-Syrian peace talks. (UPI, April 15)

Russian Shipyard to Repair Chinese Submarines.