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31 Jul, 2007 12:45

Russia to provide aid to Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is on his first visit to Moscow since the June clashes between Fatah and Hamas – which split the Palestinian area into two – Hamas-led Gaza and Fatah-controlled West Bank. His second day in the Rus

At the meeting in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia sees Mahmoud Abbas as the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people.

“We know how difficult this time is for you and for the Palestinian people. Our position has not changed. We are in favour of defending the interests of the Palestinian people, including the creation of a Palestinian State. I want to assure you that we will support you as the lawful leader of the Palestinian people,” stated President Putin.
 
President Mahmoud Abbas has called on Russia to provide assistance in resolving the situation in the conflict area: “Despite the coup in Gaza, we feel responsibility for the life of the people and call on friendly states to supply humanitarian aid to our people, in order not to worsen the humanitarian situation.

We are talking about supplying aid to our Palestinian partners to secure law and order in the West Bank. The main condition of the aid is that it must not be used in the internal Palestinian conflict. The aid will include  50 armoured  personnel carriers and other equipment, which is normal aid,

Andrey Denisov, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister

And apparently the response of the Russian side was that he wanted.

Besides humanitarian aid, Russia has also offered to deliver 50 armoured vehicles to the West Bank. First Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrey Denisov says Moscow intends to help President Abbas maintain law and order in the region. 

“We are talking about supplying aid to our Palestinian partners to secure law and order in the West Bank. The main condition of the aid is that it must not be used in the internal Palestinian conflict. The aid will include  50 armoured  personnel carriers and other equipment, which is normal aid,” Andrey Denisov, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, explained. 

Mr Denisov also added that Russia intends to provide any assistance deemed necessary to help the Palestinian people.  

After his meeting with President Putin, Mahmoud Abbas called for new Palestinian elections throughout the West Bank and Gaza as soon as possible. Elections that should freeze Hamas from political power. And the Palestinian's leader stance is firm.

”Hamas should take full responsibility and apologise for the crimes that it committed against its people,'' he reiterated.

Russia is the only country of the Middle East Quartet that maintains direct contacts with both Fatah and Hamas. It has been a source of some irritation for Israel and some of the Western countries.

Still, the level of contacts with Hamas has been reduced, according to First Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrey Denisov. 

“Recently, we have somewhat downgraded the level of contacts with Hamas. Now we are pursuing a pragmatic goal of trying to influence them directly and indirectly to resume national unity,” said Mr Denisov.

Meanwhile, there have been reports a Hamas delegation is planning to visit Moscow, but the Foreign Ministry said that no such meetings were being planned in the near future. 

According to Mahmoud Abbas, Russia has always played the role of mediator in the peace process and possesses considerable influence in the Middle East and it was this influence that he came for. 

The Palestinian leader has said that he welcomes any mediation that can revive peace talks between Fatah and Hamas.

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