BOMBS EXPLODE IN DUSHANBE.

Tajikistan’s Internal Affairs Ministry stated today that four bombs exploded overnight in Dushanbe on the avenue leading from the airport to the hotel reserved for the opposition leaders scheduled to arrive shortly. (Itar-Tass, September 10) The explosions would seem to provide a convenient pretext for the government’s claim that the opposition delegation must be denied a public welcome and that it needs to be isolated from the populace for security reasons. (See Monitor, September 9)

Russia and Chechnya Reach Oil Transit Agreement.