-Caveat Lector- Russia Supports Palestinian State CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Russia will support an independent Palestinian state whenever the Palestinians choose to declare it, Russia's ambassador to Egypt was quoted as saying today. The statement represents a significant shift by Russia, which had urged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to delay a planned declaration of statehood on May 4. Ambassador Vladimir Gougev told Egypt's Middle East News Agency that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov had promised such support in a letter to the head of the Arab League, Esmat Abdel-Meguid. ``There is no choice but to declare a Palestinian state,'' Gougev quoted Ivanov as saying in the letter, which was delivered Tuesday. ``Russia will strongly support the declaration of a Palestinian state at any time the Palestinian Authority chooses.'' In April, Ivanov held talks with Arafat in Moscow and said he had urged him to delay proclaiming a state on May 4 -- the deadline for the end of negotiations of the final status of the Palestinian territories. In the West Bank, the Palestinian legislature debated Tuesday whether or not it endorse a unilateral declaration of statehood in May. No decision was reached but lawmakers reviewed several recommendations, including a proposal to declare statehood on May 4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and has threatened to respond to a declaration of independence by annexing parts of the West Bank. Officially, Russia is a co-sponsor of the Mideast peace process, but the United States has acted as the main mediator. Arafat, who has been touring the world to sound out governments on a declaration of statehood, arrived late Tuesday in Egypt. He is scheduled to meet President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
