ASTRAKHAN SEEKS SPECIAL STATUS.

Officials from Astrakhanwant their oblast to become a special economic zone, much as thetreaty republics and Kaliningrad already are, Moscow radio reportedAugust 2. Moreover, Astrakhan wants to participate in all futuretalks about the status of the Caspian sea, and to be given a majorshare of any profits from the exploitation of oil in that bodyof water.

Russian Communities Bloc Calls for Pressure on "Near Abroad."