LUCINSCHI-SMIRNOV MEETING FUTILE.

Moldovan President Petru Lucinschi and Transdniester leader Igor Smirnov held day-long talks yesterday in Chisinau, their second meeting this year. They announced that they have reached no results on political issues: Chisinau offers Transdniester far-reaching autonomy within Moldova’s internationally recognized borders, while Transdniester insists on recognition of its own statehood, to be followed by the creation of a “common state” of the two states. On economic issues, Lucinschi and Smirnov agreed to reopen on August 3 the Dubasari bridge across the Dniester river: The bridge, which is of international importance, has been repaired after severe damage sustained in the 1992 fighting. (Flux, Basapress, July 21) The virtual futility of the meeting underscores yet again the need for a more effective international involvement in mediating the six-year-old negotiations.

YERKRAPAH TURNS INTO POLITICAL PARTY.