Gorbachev Envoy, Syria’s Assad Talk
DAMASCUS, Syria — President Hafez Assad and a personal envoy of Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev held talks Saturday on efforts to convene a Middle East peace conference.
Officials said Foreign Minister Farouk Shareh was present at the meeting between Assad and Karen Brutents, who was carrying a message from Gorbachev. Vasily Kolotusha, head of the Soviet Foreign Ministry’s Middle East and North Africa department, also attended.
Brutents had met Shareh on Friday to discuss developments in the U.S.-led effort to end 43 years of conflict between Israel and the Arabs.
“The talks also covered Israel’s obstinate position rejecting the requirements and elements necessary for reaching peace in the region,” a Syrian official said.
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