BALTIC LEADERS RULE OUT DEAL WITH RUSSIA AT NATO’S EXPENSE.

Latvian president Guntis Ulmanis and Estonian prime minister Mart Siimann, in separate statements yesterday, ruled out a deal with Russia for security guarantees to the Baltic states. Ulmanis said this was no topic for discussion, and Siimann challenged Russia "to become a democratic and economically developed country whom we could trust." Both leaders reaffirmed that their countries envisage no substitute for NATO membership. (AP, July 16)

Uzbek Prices to Rise.