InJune, the Russian Duma rejected two bills that would have establishedprocedures for the return of art and other valuables that Sovietforces had seized in Europe during World War II. Now a new commissionis meeting to prepare a new draft, but the group seems littleinclined to... MORE

In anapparent bid to prevent the firing of besieged Russkaya gazetaeditor Natalya Polezhayeva, the Duma passed a resolution urgingYeltsin not to replace any media people before the December 1995elections, Kommersant-Daily reported July 4. Duma Sets Second Vote on Yeltsin's Impeachment.

The Dumawill consider a Communist-backed resolution of impeachment againstYeltsin on July 7, Russian radio reported. Although the resolutionis unlikely to pass, it does enjoy the requisite signatures ofone-third of the Duma's membership and thus must be voted on.But on July 5, the Duma put off... MORE

In its current issue,Moskovskiye novosti asks its readers to forgive it forbudget-driven cutbacks in frequency and size during the next twomonths. The reformist weekly promised to make up for these "losses"in the fall. Moscow Expands to Include Sheremetyevo Airport.

In a reflectionof Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov's improved political standing andhence greater freedom of action, the Moscow city council has votedto incorporate the area in and around Sheremetyevo within thecity limits, Interfax reported July 5. In another move, the citycouncil repartitioned the city, replacing the... MORE

The Moscow citycouncil has adopted as the city's official song a tune entitled"My Moscow," Moskovsky komsomolets reported July5. The paper noted that the song was composed during World WarII and contains panegyrics to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Moscow Militia Blocks US Fireworks.

Saying that Americanofficials had failed to secure advance permission from the Moscowcity authorities, militiamen refused to allow embassy officersto set off fireworks at Moscow's Khodynka field, Interfax reportedJuly 5. Some 3,000 people who had gathered for the July 4th festivitieshad to go home without the... MORE

The Latvian governmenthas suspended the operations of the country's Bauska Bank, BNSreported July 5. The authorities said that Bauska had failed notbecause of criminal activities but because of a series of badnon-performing loans. Latvia to Issue Travel Documents to Non-Citizens.

In amove that should defuse tensions in Latvia and Russia, Riga hasagreed to issue special travel documents to non-citizens livingin Latvia, BNS reported July 5. The new "passports"will allow their bearers to travel to most countries that Latviahas relations with and, importantly, to return to... MORE

Lithuanian president Algirdas Brazauskas has pardoned Soviet-eraGen. Ginutis Taurinskis, BNS reported July 5. Taurinskis, whowas involved in the killings of Lithuanian demonstrators in January1991, reportedly is ill and has already served two-thirds of hissentence.