In public comments on security issues, Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma publicly criticized the idea of unification of the {East} Slavic states in general and of Russia-Belarus unification in particular. Kuchma targeted the resolution of Russia's Federation Council earlier this month to hold a referendum in... MORE

The Belarus Constitutional Court ruled October 11 that the incumbent Supreme Soviet is the country's rightful representative and legislative body until a new legislature is in place. The court invalidated president Aleksandr Lukashenko's claim that the incumbent Supreme Soviet´s powers had expired and said that... MORE

Several Chechen negotiators in Grozny said on Wednesday that they could not rule out a repeat of the Budennovsk hostage crisis which occurred this summer-similar actions reportedly are in the works-given Russia's refusal to enter into a genuine dialogue with Chechen rebels. As if more... MORE

On Friday President Boris Yeltsin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict in separatist Chechnya, even though peace negotiations appear threatened by a series of attacks on both sides. "We will not stray from the peaceful path, however much we are pushed... MORE

October 12 marked the fifth anniversary of the opening of Interpol's office in Moscow and an occasion for the international crime-fighters to boast of their successes to date. Representatives of that office told journalists that as a result of collaboration between Interpol and Russian law... MORE

Zorin's and Shirko's statements came on the heels of Dzhokhar Dudayev's announcement on Wednesday that his side was suspending the military agreements and negotiations until the arrival of international observers and UN security forces in Chechnya. Zorin stressed that while Russia's strategy will not change,... MORE

The scores of parties and organizations which have reared their heads in time for the election (thus far, 67 parties and blocs have registered candidates) has led to sharp domestic criticism of Russia's electoral law and speculation that the elections might be canceled. On Wednesday... MORE

Deputy prime minister Sergei Shakhrai suggested Wednesday that all parties which failed to break the 5 percent threshold in a parliamentary election should be forced to reimburse the state 10 billion rubles in expenses. A possible exception could be made for the Women of Russia... MORE

Several officials on October 11 spoke against proposals by hard-liners that a state of emergency be imposed in Grozny or throughout Chechnya. Kremlin Chief of Staff Sergei Filatov and the newly appointed commander of Russian troops in Chechnya, Lieutenant-General Anatolii Shirko, said in separate statements... MORE

Russian defense minister Pavel Grachev released a statement on Thursday officially denying that he plans to be a candidate in the December parliamentary elections, in spite of numerous appeals from military and civilian organizations that want to see him run for office. The fact that... MORE