Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov on March 29 repeated Moscow's contention that NATO enlargement could be the West's "biggest mistake since the end of the Cold War." But, following talks with German foreign minister Klaus Kinkel and other officials in Bonn, Primakov also allowed that... MORE

Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov has ordered that kidnapping cases should be tried and punished by Shariat courts. One such trial is to take place on April 2. According to Maskhadov, those accused face death by firing squad if their guilt is proven. (Itar-Tass, March 31)... MORE

At the conclusion of his two-day visit to Bonn (see Perspective item below), Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov announced that President Boris Yeltsin will visit Germany on April 17-18 for talks with German chancellor Helmut Kohl. According to Primakov, the meeting will be one "of... MORE

The summit resolved to prolong Yeltsin's chairmanship of the Council of Heads of State, and consequently the Russian chairmanship of CIS bodies down the line, for another term, implying until at least the next summit. In a symbolic gesture, Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma endorsed the... MORE

Russia and Georgia scored some initial successes recently in what is sure to become the "great game" of the early 21st century: the struggle for control over -- and revenues from -- shipping, oil, and natural gas from the Caspian region and Central Asia westward... MORE

The summit meeting (though most likely not all the countries but only those interested in the matter) extended the deployment of "CIS peacekeeping" troops in Abkhazia until July 31 and endorsed a broadened mandate, as approved at the March 26 Councils of Foreign Ministers and... MORE

The Concept of the Development of CIS Economic Integration through the year 2000, described as the main document on the summit's agenda, had been much watered-down at the March 27 Prime Ministers' meeting that preceded the summit. (See Monitor, March 28) Even so, the diluted... MORE

On March 28, the Council of Heads of State of CIS member countries held a summit in Moscow that had been repeatedly postponed owing to Russian president Boris Yeltsin's earlier medical problems. The event was originally planned for last fall, then was rescheduled for December... MORE

Over 400 vagrant children were rounded up last week in a routine patrol by police in President Boris Yeltsin's home town, Yekaterinburg. The children were living in cellars, derelict buildings and around the railway station. Those who had run away from home were returned to... MORE

A Jewish university is to be set up in Moscow, Russian education minister Vladimir Kinelev announced after a meeting with his Israeli counterpart. Enrollment will be open to all, regardless of nationality or citizenship. The university will focus on teaching the language, history, culture, and... MORE