TALKS BOOST ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN IRAN AND UKRAINE.

On a just-completed visit to Kyiv, Iranian foreign minister Ali-Akbar Velayati discussed mainly economic issues, including industrial cooperation projects in Iran based on Ukrainian technology and Iran’s participation in building a large-capacity oil terminal in Odessa. Bilateral trade was only $100 million in 1996, but should soar with the progress of the Antonov aircraft factory in Isfahan. Kyiv ruled out discussion of Ukrainian turbine deliveries for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, being completed with Russian assistance. (IRNA, Ukrainian agencies, June 11)

Russian Budget Cliffhanger Continues.