Israeli officials this week disputed reports that Russia's economic crisis is fueling increased emigration of Jews from Russia to Israel (see the Monitor, September 10). According to the Israeli prime minister's adviser on immigration and absorption, recent declarations suggesting an increase in emigration from Russia... MORE

Maverick Chechen warlord Salman Raduev yesterday threatened that, if the Dagestani authorities do not release local politician Magomed Khachilaev by September 13, Raduev will dispatch men from his "Army of General Dudaev" to free him. A spokesman for Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov disavowed Raduev's threats,... MORE

Vladimir Potanin, head of the Interros group--which owns Russia's largest private bank, Oneksim--said yesterday that Russian banks will be unable to repay their debts to Western creditors unless the terms of the debts are radically restructured. Potanin told the Financial Times in an interview that... MORE

In a move presumably tied to Primakov's nomination as prime minister, Andrei Kokoshin yesterday was dismissed from his post as secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council. (Russian agencies, September 10) Unless he reemerges in a similarly authoritative post elsewhere, Kokoshin's removal would seem to continue... MORE

Washington's public reaction yesterday to acting Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov's nomination as Russian prime minister was cautious optimism. "Obviously the United States knows and respects [Primakov]," White House spokesman Mike McCurry said. "If [his candidacy were to be] ratified by the Duma we would expect... MORE

President Boris Yeltsin went on Russian Television this morning to urge support for his candidate for prime minister, acting Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov. (BBC, September 11) Primakov is expected to win approval when the State Duma votes on his nomination later today. He already has... MORE

Germany's Siemens and Kazakhstan's state telecommunications company, Kazakhtelecom, have agreed to build a unified telecommunications system in Kazakhstan. The construction of a 9,666 kilometer-long optic fiber ring will cost US$200 million over the next four years. On August 28 the partners signed a deal on... MORE

Deputy Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov hinted yesterday that Kyrgyzstan is prepared to establish diplomatic relations with the Taliban authorities in Kabul, "in view of the present-day realities in Afghanistan." Jekshenkulov linked this possibility to Kyrgyzstan's initiative to mediate between the warring Afghan parties. President Askar... MORE

The TRACECA agreement discussed and signed in Baku on September 8 (see the Monitor, September 9) prompted impassioned objections from the Russian delegation. Arguing that it would be wrong to renounce the "historic" transit routes from Asia to Europe via Russia, chief delegate Yevgeny Kazantsev... MORE

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on September 8 issued a statement of concern over recent accusations by Romanian government officials and parliamentary deputies that Ukraine "discriminates" against its Romanian minority and "restricts" Romanian-language education. The Foreign Ministry described the charges as "completely unfounded" and expressed surprise over... MORE