MOSCOW SOUR OVER NORTH KOREAN DEBT.

A top Russian Trade Ministry official said yesterday that North Korea’s large debt to Russia has become a significant impediment to the resuscitation of strong trade links between the two countries. Despite owing Moscow some $4.5 billion, the official said, Pyongyang has been in no hurry to pursue negotiations aimed at restructuring the debt and has even requested new lines of credit. (Interfax, July 30)

Changing Ambassadors in Moscow and Tokyo.