MOSCOW, May 19 -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin has sent his congratulations to Ehud Barak on his election as Israel's new prime minister. Yeltsin says, 'The region and the international community link Ehud Barak's ascent to Israeli leadership with hopes for a turn to the better in the Middle East peace process.'
A statement released by Yeltsin's press service says, 'Russia considers the results of voting by Israeli people proof of the people's choice in favor of rapidly reaching political agreement with its Arab neighbors, movement toward a complete and just peace and hope for safety and security in the region.' The Kremlin's message to Barak says: 'Russia, as a co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process, is ready to closely cooperate with your government to further the process at Arab-Israeli negotiations.' ---
Copyright 1999 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---
