Moscow For Continuing Peres-Arafat Contacts

Andrey Vdovin, Russian Foreign Minister's special envoy for the Middle East is due to go on a Middle East tour Friday, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko. Yakovenko said that the special envoy would hold negotiations "will all parties interested in settling the current situation in the region." "Vdovin will operate hand in glove with the Russian co-sponsor and other key parties," according to Yakovenko. Moscow is outraged and condemns the murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rechavam Ze'evy. "This crime is also a provocation against peace in the region, since it was perpetrated when "first signs of easing tension appeared in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict lasting for many months", the Foreign Ministry underscores. Moscow expresses condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ze'evy and at the same time calls on Israel and Palestine to avoid giving way to emotions . At the same time, according to Moscow diplomats, it is crucial to continue consistent compliance with the agreements achieved during the Peres-Arafat meeting which mainly focused on efforts against terrorism.