In two separate but convergent statements, the hospitalized human rights campaigner Yelena Bonner and a group of prominent pro-democratic figures who voted for Yeltsin -- including pollster Yuri Levada, writer Benedikt Sarnov, lawyer Genri Reznik -- accused Yeltsin of deceiving the voters with his pre-election... MORE

Anatoly Chubais gave his first press conference yesterday since his appointment as Boris Yeltsin's chief-of-staff. Outlining the three main tasks of the presidential staff, Chubais said the first priority was recommending personnel for high government posts. Yeltsin has entrusted such recommendations to the presidential staff... MORE

Russia hopes to make an important step toward entering international financial markets by launching its first Eurobond issue, for between $300 million and $500 million, in October this year. The announcement was made on July 30 by Deputy Finance Minister Mikhail Kasyanov following a meeting... MORE

Duma Defense Committee chairman General Lev Rokhlin, whose July 5 speech on corruption in the armed forces focused the public spotlight on alleged misdeeds by top military leaders (see Monitor, July 8-9), has himself been accused of improper financial dealings. According to yesterday's Izvestiya, Rokhlin's... MORE

Some members of Gennady Zyuganov's entourage are said to be urging the Communist party leader to follow the example of reform Communist s in Hungary, Poland and Latvia and to redefine the party as a social-democratic party. This would include discarding the party's traditional insignia.... MORE

Recently-named Russian defense minister Igor Rodionov has thus far advanced no comprehensive blueprint for military reform, but his public remarks since being appointed may shed some light on his priorities. Rodionov has intimated that he views the current period, characterized by internal Russian weakness and... MORE

Two senior Russian troop commanders in southern Chechnya told correspondents on background that talks with the insurgent leadership are unlikely to resume since "we have a clear order to destroy them all." The officers said that the orders came immediately after Yeltsin was reelected president.... MORE

As expected, Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov made the argument during the recent G-7 meeting in Paris that Chechen resistance forces should be considered an international terrorist organization. Chechen fighters, he alleged, are supplied with arms that come in part from abroad, and are also... MORE

While regretting that New Delhi has decided not to support an international nuclear test ban treaty currently being negotiated in Geneva, a Russian diplomat said yesterday that the Indian decision would not adversely effect bilateral relations between the two countries. (Interfax, July 31) Trade between... MORE

Pakistani officials announced yesterday the signing of a contract to buy "more than 300" Ukrainian-made T-80 UD battle tanks for $550 million. Delivery is scheduled to be completed within three years, with the first batch due early next year. (Reuter, July 31). Produced at the... MORE