JEDDAH, 19 March — The Russian government yesterday gave its full backing to the Saudi initiative on the Middle East, saying the plan consolidates the idea of a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and sends a strong signal to the Israeli public that Arabs are a people of peace.
Moscow has sent a special envoy to the Kingdom to meet with the Saudi leadership regarding the initiative, announced by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
He will also discuss new Russian proposals to end the violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, and the confrontation between the United States and Iraq.
Andrey V. Vdovin — who holds the title of special envoy of the Russian foreign minister for the Middle East peace process — discussed these issues with Prince Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal at two separate audiences in Jeddah.
He conveyed a verbal message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Prince Abdullah and handed a written letter to Prince Saud from his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov.
Speaking to Arab News at the Russian Consulate after the meetings, Vdovin said that any attempt to use force to impose a solution on Iraq will only lead to "grave consequences and a destabilization of the entire region."
He said that Russia has suggested to Iraq that it cooperate with the UN on the issue of disarmament while at the same time being given assurances that international sanctions would be suspended and eventually lifted within a specific period of time.
On whether Moscow could back attempts by the US to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from power, he said it is up to the Iraqi people to decide who should rule them.
Moscow also wants to see a simultaneous effort in the Middle East involving security as well as political issues.
"There must be joint efforts from all countries concerned to overcome the tragic situation in the region and put an end to the cycle of violence. The solution should be based on relevant United Nations resolutions. These efforts should not be confined to one aspect of the conflict — namely security — because without a political perspective it will be difficult to end the cycle of violence and move forward."
The Russian official said that his government hopes the Arab summit in Lebanon later this month will endorse Prince Abdulla’s initiative, which Russia considers a collective Arab effort.
On his county’s position regarding the so-called US "war on terror", Vdovin said Moscow welcomes American efforts in the Middle East and other parts of the world, including Afghanistan, but would prefer solutions based on UN resolutions and backed by the international community.
Asked if his talks with Saudi officials covered activities by the members of Al-Qaeda organization and the ousted Afghan rulers, the Taleban, he said this matter was discussed indirectly.
"Members of Al-Qaeda have entered Chechnya to fight against the Russian army and this is a phenomenon that has to be addressed," he said.
He added that Moscow’s focus has always been on the Security Council.
Referring to the recent Security Council resolution, which for the first time suggested a two-states solution to the Middle East problem through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state — he said that the resolution should be followed by a joint effort to push the peace process and reach a solution based on land-for-peace.
