文章基本信息

标题：The West at War: Russia aid for Arafat
作者：DANIEL SIMPSON
期刊名称：Sunday Mirror
印刷版ISSN：0956-8077
出版年度：2002
卷号：Jan 6, 2002
出版社：Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd.

The West at War: Russia aid for Arafat

DANIEL SIMPSON

A TEAM of Russian deputies is on its way to Ramallah to help Palestinian President Yasser Arafat get to Bethlehem for an Orthodox Christmas mass despite an Israeli ban, the Palestinian ambassador said yesterday.

Khairi al-Oridi told Reuters news agency that 14 deputies from the Russian parliament were due to arrive at Arafat's headquarters early today, when the Palestinian leader plans to leave for Bethlehem.

"They will negotiate with the Israeli government and put pressure on it for Arafat to be allowed to go," Oridi said.

Israel imposed a travel ban on Arafat last month until he arrested those blamed for killing an Israeli cabinet minister.

The ban prevented Arafat from attending Western rite Christmas celebrations in December. Orthodox believers mark Christmas on January 7.

Russia has criticised Israel for restrictions slapped on Arafat and asked it not to mix religion and politics.