Former Russian security supremo Aleksandr Lebed and Yabloko leader Grigory Yavlinsky arrived in London on April 11 to attend an international economic conference sponsored by The Wall Street Journal. (Itar-Tass, April 11) More Cuts for Russia's Airborne Troops.

By September 1, Russia's airborne forces will be cut to 34,000 -- a drop of 12,000 from their present strength. Paratrooper commander Gen. Georgy Shpak said that about 1,000 officer posts would be eliminated. Just 2 years ago the authorized strength of his force was... MORE

Japanese foreign minister Yukihiko Ikeda will likely postpone a visit to Russia planned for the end of April, Japanese diplomatic sources said on April 13. The postponement was attributed to the continuing hostage crisis in Peru. (Kyodo, April 13) Meanwhile, Russian minister without portfolio Yevgeny... MORE

Government ministers from Russia and Cyprus, meeting in Moscow on April 11, signed a memorandum to establish a joint intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation. A separate agreement on the encouragement and protection of investments was also signed by the two countries. (RIA, April... MORE

Natan Sharansky, who spent nine years in Soviet jails on false charges of espionage and was the focus of a world-wide campaign for his release, yesterday visited his Ukrainian hometown of Donetsk. Sharansky, presently Israel's trade minister, promoted Israel-Ukraine trade during his visit to this... MORE

Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry has dismissed as "crude and deliberate lies" Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum's allegations in Moscow media about Ukrainian arms deliveries to Taliban forces in Afghanistan via Turkmenistan in return for Afghan drugs. The Ministry's official statement traced the "misinformation" to Russian intelligence... MORE

In a move openly defiant of the West, Russia on April 11 pledged to continue its pursuit of friendly relations with Iran despite a court decision in Germany one day earlier that has lead to a diplomatic breach between Tehran and the European Union. "We... MORE

Chechen first deputy prime minister Movladi Udugov was in Moscow last week to try to clear up disagreements over a peace treaty between Chechnya and Russia, Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov told Chechen television on April 11. Maskhadov said the main remaining obstacle was Moscow's refusal... MORE

At a weekend conference of Slavists in Cambridge, England, economists discussed the status and prospects of the Russian economy. Debating the causes of Russia's seven years of falling output, Vladimir Mau and Mario Nuti both addressed the perennial question: is Russia different? Both contended that... MORE

In limbo since he was suspended from his duties more than 4 months ago by Defense Minister Igor Rodionov, ground forces commander in chief Gen. Vladimir Semenov was finally dismissed by President Boris Yeltsin on April 11. The presidential decree also dismissed one of Semenov's... MORE