The World - News from Jan. 12, 1988

Israel granted monthlong visa extensions to a visiting Soviet consular delegation but warned that the Soviets would be asked to leave unless Moscow opened its doors to an Israeli delegation, an Israeli official said. The Soviet delegation, which has been in Israel since July, is the first since Moscow severed ties with the Jewish state during the 1967 Middle East War. Giorgi Martirowsov, head of the Soviet delegation, said the Kremlin is considering an Israeli request to send a team of diplomats to Moscow. Moscow last year rejected any reciprocal plan when it sent the delegation to look after Soviet properties, mostly religious sites, and to provide consular services.