Two of Boris Yeltsin's fiercest critics are joining forces in an effort to impeach him. Lev Rokhlin, the retired army general who last year set up the Movement for the Defense of the Army (MDA), and radical Communist parliamentarian Viktor Ilyukhin are accusing the Russian... MORE

Azerbaijani President Haidar Aliev cabled the Kremlin on March 13 that he deems it inappropriate to attend the March 19 CIS summit in Moscow. Aliev named three reasons. First, information about Russian intentions to deliver more weapons, including S-300 missiles, to Armenia. Second, Moscow's unwillingness... MORE

The "New Party of Latvia" held its founding congress in Riga on March 14. Initiated by businessmen who publicly declare their interest in trading with Russia, the New Party calls in its program for: "an active role of the state in the economy," closer relations... MORE

Aleksandr Kotenkov, President Boris Yeltsin's representative in the State Duma, says that a major government overhaul is planned for later this year. (Obshchaya gazeta, March 5) As Yeltsin hinted in his state-of-the-nation speech to the Russian parliament last month, the reorganization is likely to see... MORE

It would be unwise to expect any radical breakthrough from this commission. Krasnov said last month that the reform must be carried out "very carefully and slowly," and might not be fully operational until 2005-2007. As opposition deputy Aleksei Podberezkin observed, "The ministries have been... MORE

An official of Norway's Ministry of Local Government, Sven Lamark, said in a public radio interview on March 13 that he was at the center of the Russian-Norwegian spy scandal. Lamark claimed that he had alerted Norwegian officials to attempts by Russian intelligence in 1994... MORE

Spokesmen for Russia's Foreign Ministry and the country's intelligence services continued over the weekend to express bewilderment -- and some outrage -- over Oslo's decision on March 12 to declare five Russian diplomats persona non grata. (See Monitor, March 13) The reaction in Russia appeared... MORE

(To be continued in Monday's issue). Among the eleven candidates challenging Acting President Robert Kocharian, three are capable to directly and substantially influence the election's final outcome. Karen Demirchian, 66, is a no-party candidate who runs with the support of a small Socialist party. Vazgen... MORE

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan yesterday handed down six death sentences and nine prison sentences from one to fourteen years against an opposition group from Leninabad region. Five other members of the group died during the arrest, according to the authorities. The death sentences are... MORE

Spokesman Tarasov yesterday also turned down Latvian Foreign Minister Valdis Birkavs' request to visit Moscow and "explain" the March 3 incident in Riga, which sparked this crisis. According to Tarasov, the Russian side does not need "clarifications" or "discussions." Moscow would only receive Birkavs when... MORE