#13 - RW 273
THERE IS A WAY TO STOP MIDEAST CRISIS, REASSURES RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT

TEL AVIV, September 11 (RIA Novosti) - There is no reasonable alternative to the Roadmap for now, says Andrei Vdovin, special envoy of Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs for Middle East settlement. If Roadmap implementation stops, violence will rage on in the area to make Israelis and Palestinians suffer alike, he pointed out in an exclusive RIA Novosti interview in Tel Aviv.

International mediators must prevent further bloodshed. That is their primary duty now, stressed the diplomat.

The latest terrorist atrocities appalled Israel. Its hit-back operations to kill HAMAS chieftains enraged Palestinians. Passions have come to white heat on both sides.

There is still a way to settle the crisis, despite all - a task that demands major efforts by the involved parties and international mediators alike. There is no other way to make things turn to the better.

Andrei Vdovin does not share a widespread opinion that the Roadmap has to be revived. The plan is alive, as he sees it. All Roadmap premises are offering a practicable way to Mideastern peace. The parties' political goodwill is the only thing it takes to implement the plan.

As for Russian interests, they concern peace in the Middle East. The area is fairly close to Russia geographically. Its instability is a formidable threat to the whole world, Russia being no exception. Violent anti-terror action makes confrontation ever worse and more lasting, and encourages extremists. Unlike it, the Roadmap proceeds from mutual pledges, and so promises to put an end to confrontation, said the diplomat.

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