Jordan Times
Thursday, November 8, 2001
'Putin plans Jordan, Iraq visits'
AMMAN (AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin plans on visiting Iraq as part of a regional tour that will also take in Jordan, the Russian ambassador to Amman said in statements published Wednesday.“He will visit Iraq as part of his next Middle East tour. He has the intention but we don't know when,” Ambassador Alexander Ivanov told Al Arab Al Yawm newspaper in reply to a question about Putin's plans to tour the region.
“President Putin has received invitations from Arab leaders in the region, including His Majesty King Abdullah, President Hosni Mubarak,” Ivanov said.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have also invited Putin to visit, he added.
A top Russian military delegation is also expected to visit Amman at an undisclosed date soon to follow up on a visit to Moscow in August by King Abdullah, the diplomat said.
During his visit to Russia, the Monarch met senior military officials and visited a factory that produces ultramodern anti-tank weapons.
The Russian media had talked of possible armament deals with Jordan, but none have been reported.