The Orel province branch of Russia'Federal Security Service has ruled that the expression "Kill the Yids" doesnot refer to Jews and therefore is neither extremist nor an incitement tointerethnic hatred, Express-Chronicle reported in its latest issue (April27-May 4). There is no independent confirmation of this... MORE

The Russian cabinet ofministers sent back for reworking a draft law on the non-Russian territorieswithin the Russian Federation, Kommersant-daily reported May 12. The papersaid that the country's leaders had taken that step because any discussion ofthe right of nations to self-determination would be "exceptionallyunpropitious in... MORE

Swedish deputy foreign ministerPierre Schori told officials in Tallinn that Stockholm will not sell weaponsto the Estonians but will help them redevelop the Paldiski harbor, BNSreported May 12. The news service reported, however, that Stockholm hadrecently given a patrol boat to Lithuania. In his meetings,... MORE

Israeli Brig. Gen. David Shoval met with Estonianofficials to discuss military relations and improving border controls, BNSreported May 12. Among the Estonian officials who consulted with Shoval wasformer prime minister and now interior minister Edgar Savisaar. "How Many More Press Conferences?"

Attacking Estonian president Lennart Meriand others who oppose Russia's entry into the Council of Europe, Russian Dumamember Aleksandr Dzasokhov asked in Strasbourg, "How many more pressconferences do we have to give here before we become full members?" theBaltic Independent reported May 4. The problem may... MORE

Ukrainian officials told President Clinton thatthey would close down all four blocs of the Chernobyl atomic energy stationby the year 2000, Ukrainian radio reported. Clinton reportedly expressedsupport for this step, but the Ukrainian media noted that he had shown nointerest in Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma's... MORE

The Armenian parliament hasapproved a draft constitution, Itar-Tass said May 12. The document, which theopposition said yields too much power to the president, will be subject to areferendum July 5, the same day on which Armenians will elect a newparliament. The runup to that election... MORE

The Russian military base at Gyumri isoffending the local population because Russian servicemen have electricitywhen the local population does not, Krasnaya zvezda said April 28. The base,which Russia will operate for 25 years under a recent agreement with Yerevan,both guards 50 kilometers of the Armenian... MORE

Tehran will turn off thesupply of electric power to Nakhichevan, the non-contiguous part ofAzerbaijan, unless Baku pays some $10 billion in arrears, the BBC reportedMay 13, citing the Iranian news service. The Iranian authorities said theyhad not taken this step earlier out of "humanitarian" considerations.... MORE

President Nursultan Nazarbayev left forSouth Korea May 15 to shore up trade ties with the Pacific Rim states,Kazakhstan radio reported. While there have been some bumps in therelationship between Alma-Ata and these states--Seoul imposed anti-dumpingrestrictions on zinc exports from Kazakhstan in April--relations betweenAlma-Ata and the... MORE