Initials NG/1721 NG/1730



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A Soviet delegation -- representing the Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinian Liberation Organization -- has been meeting PLO leaders in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and having discussions with Syrian leaders.

On Thursday (13 March) the Soviet delegation's leader Mr. Vladimir Kudryavtsev, met with PLO leader Yassir Arafat. His visit is seen as part of a general attempt by Moscow to hasten progress towards resuming the Geneva Middle East Peace Conference.

On the following day (Friday, 14 March) Algeria's Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdelazziz Bouteflika, also arrived in Damascus. He had come to the Syrian capital for high-level talks with Syrian leaders and was welcomed at the airport by his Syrian counterpart, Mr. Abdel Halim Khaddam. Mr. Bouteflika then drive straight to the Presidential Palace for talks with Syrian Head of State, President Hafez Al-Assad.

The substance of Mr. Bouteflika's discussions with President Assad was not released. But high on the agenda was understood to be the results of the recent Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries' meeting in the Algerian capital and other topics -- notably the current diplomatic, Middle East tour by United States' Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger.