Putin for West Asia summit in Moscow

MANAMA: After staying on the margins for several years, Russia has begun a fresh effort to regain lost ground in West Asia with the visit of its President, Vladimir Putin, to Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

At a press conference in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, Mr. Putin called for a West Asian peace conference in Moscow this autumn. Striking an assertive note, he also advocated a greater role for the U.N. in Iraq.

"I am suggesting that we should convene a conference for all these countries concerned [with the peace process] and the Quartet, next autumn," he said in the presence of his Egyptian host, Hosni Mubarak. The so-called Quartet includes Russia, the U.S., the European Union and the United Nations.

Later in the day, Mr. Putin was due to visit Israel where talks with the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, have been slated for Thursday. Nearly a million Russian Jews have migrated to Israel, and now comprise nearly one-sixth of the country's population. Mr. Putin said the Foreign Ministers of the Quartet would meet in Moscow on May 8 to discuss the West Asia peace process.

Referring to Iraq, both leaders proposed that the U.N. should play a more active role.