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Palestinians, Arabs sign up to fight in Russia

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, October 7, 1999

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Hundreds of Palestinians and Jordanians have volunteered to fight Russian troops in Chechya, an Israeli newspaper said on Wednesday.

The Russian-language Vremya quoted Russian officials as saying hundreds of Palestinians, Jordanians and other Arabs from the region have flooded the consulates of Georgia for entry visas. The officials said the Arabs plan to travel to Georgia and from there to neighboring Chechnya.

Vremya is regarded as having excellent contacts with Russian diplomats in Israel.

Russia has urged several Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, to cooperate in the fight against Islamic insurgents in Chechnya and Dagestan. Russian officials have accused Saudi Arabia of providing funds and arms to Chechnya.

Earlier this year, Russian officials said Chechen insurgents tried to establish a partnership with Israeli businessmen to sell oil and keep the earnings in Israeli bank accounts to help fund the rebellion against Moscow. The officials said the partnership was not completed.

Thursday, October 7, 1999

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