Russians now hold approximately$15 billion in cash compared to some $20-22 billion at the startof 1995, official statistics suggest, but Moskovsky komsomoletsreported July 28 that many Russians plan to hold onto theirdollars rather than converting them into rubles--at least untilOctober 1 when the government's ruble... MORE

Yet another group of employeesreports that it has not been paid recently. According to Russiantelevision on July 30, the Russian government has not paid prisoncamp guards for much of the first half of 1995. The televisionreported asked rhetorically how these men are supposed to continueto... MORE

The Russian Federation authoritieshave failed to provide more than one trillion rubles to the Moscowcity authorities for already completed construction and thus mayforce the city to stop any further construction activities, Moscowmayor Yuri Luzhkov told Interfax July 31. He said that "thedanger is colossal and... MORE

In yet anotherindication that Moscow hopes to gain support from pariah statesaround the world, Russian and Libyan negotiators have agreed torestore economic ties between the two countries, Izvestiyareported July 29. Libya has assumed responsibility for therepayment of its Soviet-era debts to Moscow and has agreed... MORE

During his visit toHanoi, Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev reached agreementon a plan for Russia to continue its use of the Cam Ranh Bay navalfacility, Segodnya reported July 29. In exchange, Moscowwill allow Vietnam to repay its Soviet-era debts to Russia onmore favorable terms. .... MORE

MikhailShmakov, the chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unionsof Russia (FITUR), told Obshchaya gazeta in its July 27-August2 issue that there are some five million unemployed in Russiatoday and that 15 million more are likely to lose their jobs inthe near future. Shmakov blamed... MORE

Accordingto a survey of 3,159 residents in 36 sections of the Moscow region,more than one third of Muscovites believe that "real powerin their city" is in the hands of the mafia or other criminalelements, Russian television reported July 31. 32 percent saidthat the heads of... MORE

In a move that will give defense minister Pavel Grachev additionallatitude in restructuring the Russian army, Boris Yeltsin hasissued a decree canceling all Soviet-era legal acts concerningthe army and navy, Rossiiskiye vesti reported July 27. Russian Defense Ministry Wants Budget Increase.

Deputydefense minister Andrei Kokoshin said his ministry will seek anincrease in its budget for next year to compensate for deep cutsin military spending over the past four, Itar-Tass reported July31. Another reason the defense ministry needs more funds is topay the costs of the war... MORE

Accordingto Moscow's Echo radio on July 31, Boris Yeltsin reportedly hasissued a decree liquidating the commission on human rights attachedto his office. That body had been headed by human rights activistSergei Kovalev. The radio said that the commission's functionswould now be performed by a department... MORE