Kremlin Backs Palestinian State but Stops at Full Ties : Restraint Relieves Israelis

MOSCOW —  The Soviet Union today recognized the proclamation of an independent Palestinian state in a careful gesture to its Arab allies that kept alive recent overtures to Israel by stopping short of extending full diplomatic relations.

“Faithful to the fundamental principle of freedom of choice, the Soviet Union recognizes the proclamation of the Palestinian state,” First Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander A. Bessmertnykh told a news briefing.

He said the Soviet Union believes a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict “will lead also to the practical completion of the historic process of creating this state.”

The statement appeared to signal continued Soviet support for the Palestine Liberation Organization without alienating Israel by extending full diplomatic ties to the newly proclaimed Palestinian state.

Israeli leaders did not publicly comment except to say Moscow’s move seemed unclear. But senior officials privately expressed relief that Moscow had stopped short of outright recognition.

The statement was subject to varying interpretations in Moscow.

Musa Mubarak, spokesman for the PLO office in Moscow, said the statement means the opening of full diplomatic ties. He said the Palestinian state will be considered “like any other government” in Moscow.

Moscow Office Since ’76

The PLO has maintained an office in Moscow since 1976.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Boris Savastyanov said the statement does not entail full diplomatic ties or exchange of diplomats.

“That requires additional work,” he said, adding that he could not speculate on when such changes would occur.

A Western diplomat in Moscow who specializes in Middle East affairs said the Soviet Union was “under a lot of pressure from the Palestinians and their Arab allies to recognize” the new state.

“I think it’s a way of slipping out of it,” said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Palestine National Council, the PLO’s parliament-in-exile, proclaimed statehood Tuesday at its conference in Algiers.

The move came as the Soviet Union pursues a gradual thaw in relations with Israel. Moscow broke ties with Jerusalem in 1967 after Israel captured Arab lands in the Middle East War. It has supported the PLO and called for Israel withdrawal from the occupied lands.

Low-Level Delegations

Under Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s leadership, Moscow and Jerusalem have exchanged low-level delegations and the Soviet Union has loosened some restrictions on Jewish emigration.

Nevertheless, Moscow’s lack of ties with Israel freezes the Soviets out of a more influential role in the Middle East like that of the United States.

The Soviets support Arab demands for a U.N.-sponsored Middle East peace conference. Such a forum would also be a way for the Soviets to increase their influence in the region.

Bessmertnykh praised the Palestinians for accepting U.N. Resolution 242, which implicitly recognizes Israel.

“The Palestinian leadership has displayed a great deal of responsibility and realism,” Bessmertnykh said. “They have provided for the creation of their state, but at the same time have stressed the importance of a Middle East settlement.”

Israeli troops were deployed near mosques throughout the occupied lands today to prevent nationalist demonstrations after Muslim noon prayers, the high point of the Muslim week and often the scene of anti-Israeli protests.

In the Gaza Strip, three Palestinian youths were wounded, one critically, in clashes with Israeli troops.