Putin calls for peace conference

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin yesterday called for a Mideast peace conference in Moscow this autumn as he headed to Israel for a historic first visit there by a Kremlin leader.

The Russian president, whose government is a sponsor of the “road map” plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, said he would discuss the conference proposal with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during his three-day visit to Israel.

“I am suggesting that we should convene a conference for all these countries concerned [with the peace process] and the Quartet [Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations] next autumn,” Mr Putin said.