Russian prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin is today visiting St. Petersburg to discuss the city's bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games. Chernomyrdin will meet with officials of the International Olympic Committee who are in the city to assess its suitability as an Olympic city. (Itar-Tass,... MORE

Russian deputy foreign minister Viktor Posuvalyuk yesterday underscored what he described as Moscow's intermediary role in the Iraqi-U.S. dispute, telling reporters that Russia seeks to calm tensions in the Persian Gulf and to resolve differences there through political negotiation. His remarks came after he had... MORE

A ceremony to mark the delivery to Hungary of 40 Russian-made armored personnel carriers is scheduled to take place tomorrow on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border. On the basis of an April, 1994, agreement Russia is to supply Hungary with 500 such vehicles over the course of... MORE

While no new agreements are expected to be signed, a Russian military delegation currently on an official visit to South Korea will discuss broadening military-technical cooperation with Seoul. A Russian General Staff officer, commenting on the visit, also confirmed that Moscow will deliver military hardware... MORE

The commander of Russian Airborne Forces on September 16 called for a continued Russian military presence in the former Yugoslavia. According to Col. Gen. Yevgeny Podkolzin, the preservation of stability in Bosnia will require "an international military presence with the participation of Russia" for at... MORE

Despite the recent hostilities in Iraq, a delegation representing Russian oil interests has reportedly traveled to Baghdad to confirm plans setting out their participation in the development of two major Iraqi oil fields. The Russian companies Zarubezhneft, LukOil, and Mashinoimport are reportedly ready to launch... MORE

Today marks the beginning of the third week of a hunger strike by 189 power workers in Primorsky krai. In the territory as a whole, 16,000 power workers are on strike in demand of back wages. The governor of the territory, Yevgeny Nazdratenko, is to... MORE

Russia's Defense Ministry criticized regional authorities in the Far East yesterday for the cut-off of power to military installations, and said that they would be held accountable for any harmful consequences. In a statement released to the press, the ministry also reminded local authorities that... MORE

Russian finance minister Aleksandr Livshits says Russia may launch its debut eurobond as early as October. (Interfax, September 16) The long-awaited issue will mark Russia's return to world capital markets and allow part of the budget deficit to be financed more cheaply than at present.... MORE

The South Ossetian Supreme Soviet on September 13 voted to amend its constitution by creating the post of president of the "South Ossetian Republic," and scheduled a presidential election on November 10. Supreme Soviet chairman Lyudvig Chibirov spearheaded the move and is likely to win... MORE