As the peace talksresumed in Grozny July 6--they continue July 7--confusion reignedin Russian ranks over what to do next. Presidential spokesmanSergei Medvedev disowned Russian negotiator Arkady Volsky's claimthat Yeltsin would reverse his decree on basing Russian troopsin Chechnya, Russian television reported July 6. Kremlin sourcestold... MORE

In an AFP interview released July 6, Shamil Basayev said thathe was ready to lead more terrorist attacks on Russia, but thatthis time he would use one or two fighters armed with nuclearor biological materials, rather than employ a large group of menas he had... MORE

Ina speech to Russian ambassadors to the 11 other CIS countries,Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev said that he and BorisYeltsin believe that "no task of Russian diplomacy is moreimportant than strengthening the CIS," Russian media reportedJuly 6. The organization is meant "not merely for a... MORE

Speakingto the Federation Council also on July 6, Kozyrev said that Russiamust establish military bases in the CIS countries and developother forms of military cooperation with them as well. Some CIScountries are themselves interested in hosting Russian troopsto defend against threats from abroad, the Russian... MORE

2000men and 500 officers refused to obey orders to fight in Chechnya,the president of the Soldiers' Mothers Committee told Russiantelevision July 6. Valentina Mel'nikova said that her organizationalso had information about some 700 Russian troops missing inChechnya but would not turn it over to the... MORE

Thirty-seven percent of Russians say that they will votefor parliamentary candidates who promise to end the fighting inChechnya, while only 7 percent say that they support Moscow'scurrent military effort, according to polling results reportedon Russian radio July 5. Nineteen percent of the potential electoratesaid that... MORE

Unless it wants to find itself held hostage by every aggrievedgroup, Moscow must state publicly that its concessions to theChechens at Budennovsk were an exception that will not be repeated,Duma foreign affairs committee chairman said in Izvestiya July5. Karaganov Releases Plan to Block NATO Expansion.

SergeiKaraganov, a leading Russian specialist on European affairs andadvisor to the foreign ministry, released a report entitled "Russiaand NATO" outlining how Moscow can block NATO's expansion,Moscow radio reported July 6. A version of that report was publishedin Prism June 23. Yeltsin's Plans for the Security... MORE

According toViktor Ilyukhin, the chairman of the Duma's security committee,officials around Yeltsin are thinking about combining the FederationSecurity Service with the Main Protection Directorate of the President'sOffice, Obshchaya gazeta (no. 27) reported. And in orderto avoid having to ask the parliament for legal authorizationof this... MORE

The Russian governmentwill soon give more of the country's arms producers the rightto enter into direct contact with foreign purchasers, Segodnyareported July 6. As of now, only three firms--Rozvooruzheniye,MAPO-MiG, and Promeksport--have that right. The paper said thatallowing more firms to participate would allow Moscow to... MORE