Russian FM: Abducted IDF troops alive, in good condition

Sergey Lavrov meets in Strasbourg with wife of kidnapped soldier Ehud Goldwasser and delegation of MKs; says Russia has information indicating that troops held by Hizbullah are alive and in good physical condition

Ilan Marciano|Published: 10.04.06 , 18:14

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent a reassuring message about the fate of the kidnapped soldiers held by Hizbullah, reporting that according to information in the hands of Russia, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser are alive and their physical condition is good. He met with a Knesset delegation and Karnit Goldwasser, wife of kidnapped soldier Ehud Goldwasser, in Strasbourg.

Lately, official sources have expressed concern about the fate of the two soldiers, in particular because of the condition of the Hummer the two were riding in when it was hit by Hizbullah fire.

The Knesset sent a parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg after Yom Kippur. In an unusual move, Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik decided that Karnit Goldwasser would join the delegation. MK Israel Hasson (Israel Our Home) and MK Yakov Margi (Shas chairman) were in the delegation.

In the last two days, the delegation members and Karnit Goldwasser have met with parliamentarians from all over Europe, with party heads and the president of the Council of Europe, and with other senior officials in coordination with Foreign Ministry officials. Following these meetings, corrections were made to the decision slated to be brought before the Council of Europe Thursday regarding Lebanon, including a call to release the kidnapped soldiers.

In a meeting with the Russian foreign minister, Karnit Goldwasser asked Russia to join efforts to release the two kidnapped soldiers in Lebanon. The Russian minister said that his country is involved in UN-led efforts to release the two and in efforts to release Gilad Shalit, held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

According to him, Russia is putting pressure on Iran and Syria to receive more information about the kidnapped soldiers. He said he could not discuss the details of the contacts or the officials involved in them.

However, Lavrov reported that from information received by Russia, it emerges that the condition of the kidnapped soldiers in Lebanon is good. Karnit Goldwasser mentioned that there are rumors that the soldiers were wounded and asked Lavrov to promise that they receive appropriate medical attention.

Lavrov promised to continue helping and said that he would update Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on the issue during his upcoming visit to Moscow.