CONCILIATORY COMMISSION FINISHES WORK ON THE BUDGET.

Russia’s new draft budget will be passed to the Duma for consideration on November 20. It contains a projected deficit of 3.5 percent of GDP, up from 3.3 percent in the original government proposal. Inflation, it is estimated, will run at an average annual rate of 11.8 percent (0.8 percent monthly). Duma First Deputy Chairman Aleksandr Shokhin said he was hopeful that the new draft would make IMF assistance possible. (Interfax, 13 November)

Another Trial Balloon on New Airborne Commander.