Russia considers deportation of Yasser Arafat to be counterproductive

Moscow considers the deportation of Yasser Arafat and especially his physical elimination a counterproductive move, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov told a press conference in Moscow today.

According to him, this could lead to a serious and global explosion in the Middle East, as well as to a larger-scale growth of the terrorist threat. Fedotov stressed that the implementation of the Road Map plan of peaceful settlement is a tangible product of the work of the intermediaries and the sides involved in the conflict, and will make it possible to advance along the road of settlement of the situation in the Middle East and, in particular, settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed in this connection that it is necessary to think of the "a way to make the recommending character of the Road Map plan mandatory, and of a way in which the international community can render assistance to the sides in overcoming mistrust and ceasing the vicious chain of violence".

Fedotov said that the discussion of the Mideastern settlement will be the focus at the meeting of the UN General Assembly starting in New York on September 16.