YELTSIN SETS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS FOR DECEMBER 17.

Ina decree issued from his hospital room where he is recoveringfrom heart problems, Boris Yeltsin set December 17 as the datefor Russian parliamentary elections, Interfax reported July 14.In the past several days, the Russian media have been filled withstories about how much the election campaign will cost, and aboutjust how it will be conducted. One especially interesting storyappeared in the July 11 Izvestiya. According to that paper,Russian election officials are now gerrymandering electoral districtsto help local pro-Yeltsin officials.

Duma Sets Conditions for START-II Ratification.