MOSCOW CONSIDERS NEW LAW ON RETURN OF CULTURAL ARTIFACTS.

InJune, the Russian Duma rejected two bills that would have establishedprocedures for the return of art and other valuables that Sovietforces had seized in Europe during World War II. Now a new commissionis meeting to prepare a new draft, but the group seems littleinclined to actually draft a law. Its members told Interfax onJune 29 that Moscow had "illegally" returned 1.7 millioncultural artifacts to Germany in 1955-57, while Germany had givenback only 88. Meanwhile, Moscow officials have announced thatthey will press Russia’s claims to some $3.3 billion in foreignreal estate and $5.9 billion in foreign stocks, Russian radioreported July 3. State Property Committee deputy chairman ValeriyFateyev said that Moscow did not expect to be able to reclaimall of this immediately, but would work at it for years if necessary.Russia’s single biggest claim–$1 billion–is against Iran.

Duma Urges Yeltsin Not to Shift Media Officials.