RUSSIAN MINISTER SAYS CRIME RATE IS FALLING.

Russian interior minister Anatoly Kulikov announced at a press conference yesterday that the incidence of crime in Russia has fallen more than 9 percent so far this year over the same period in 1996. Kulikov attributed the decline to improved work by law-enforcement agencies. He also repeated a charge that Western reports warning of activities by Russian mafia groups are exaggerated and aimed deliberately at discouraging foreigners from investing in Russia. (AP, Russian agencies, November 5)

Russian Peacekeepers Won’t Pursue Accused War Criminals.