Rice to meet Russian leaders in Moscow

Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who serves as the US President's National Security Adviser is to arrive in Moscow late this Friday, subsequently negotiating with several representatives of the Russian leadership.

Talking to RIA Novosti, a high-ranking White House spokesperson noted that Dr. Rice will be received by Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, also meeting National Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov.

Dr. Rice would also be expected to meet Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov at dinner in the evening of May 15.

Moreover, she is to negotiate with Federal Security Service director Nikolai Patrushev; however, this meeting's deadline is currently being finalized, the White House spokesperson added.

Dr. Rice is to leave Moscow in the morning of May 16, subsequently visiting Berlin, the agency interlocutor went on to say.

Talking to reporters 24 hours before her departure for Russia, Dr. Rice said that, apart from other top priorities, she aimed to discuss the drafting of a new UN Security Council resolution on Iraq.

Among other things, Condoleezza Rice and Russia's acting Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attached priority to the Iraqi issue during their Washington talks in the evening of May 13.

Dr. Rice will continue to examine this issue with representatives of the Russian leadership, after arriving in Moscow.

Dr. Rice is to raise some other issues, including the Mideastern peace process and Russian-US relations, in the Russian capital.