DEMONSTRATORS CALL OFF PROTEST RALLY IN DAGESTAN.

The Dagestani authorities won a breathing space when, on September 25, several hundred supporters of Mohamed Khachilaev halted a protest march calling for his release from pre-trial detention. The organizers of the protest called off the march after meeting with leading Dagestani official–who managed to persuade them that the republic authorities have no power either to release Khachilaev or to lift criminal charges against his brother Nadyr. The two brothers are accused of organizing the seizure of the government building in Makhachkala, capital of Dagestan, on May 21, with a view to overturning the government. Their supporters now intend to appeal to the federal authorities (RTR, September 25).

PASTUKHOV APPOINTED CIS COOPERATION MINISTER.