TALYSH SECESSIONIST LEADER SAID TO BE ALIVE IN PRISON.

Azerbaijan’s internal affairs minister, Ramil Usubov, yesterday stated that Alikram Gummatov — the jailed leader of a 1993 attempt to create a secessionist Talysh republic in southeastern Azerbaijan — is alive. Usubov denied reports, which originated with the pro-opposition Institute for Peace and Democracy, that Gummatov had died in prison. (Turan, November 17) Gummatov was sentenced to death in 1996, but the sentence has not been carried out. (See Monitor, November 17)

Russian Role Grows in Efforts to Settle Iraq Crisis.