Moscow expresses concern about Russians in Palestine

Moscow, June 18 (UNI) Russia has expressed concern about the security of Russian nationals in Palestine.

''The rights of Russian citizens and other foreigners to receive visa and stay on Palestinian lands are still not guaranteed. The position of those who live on Palestinian lands without a residence permit has not changed either,'' Russian Foreign Ministry official spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said in a statement.

''The Russian administration, the Foreign Ministry and our diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are taking active measures to resolve the humanitarian problem,'' Mr Kamynin said.

''The exacerbation of the situation in the Palestinian territories has again brought the issue of Russian citizens who permanently reside in the region to light. This deals with over 200 Russian citizens who married Palestinians,'' he said.

Mr Kamynin stressed, the status of Russian citizens has remained undefined in conditions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the Israeli authorities stopped issuing documents, which allow Russians to stay in the Palestinian territories, including free entry and departure, in September 2000, referring to the acute military and political situation.

He pointed out that thousands of people from the European Union, the United States and many other countries, who live in the Palestinian territories, also found themselves in a similar situation.

UNI