CHERNOMYRDIN: ECONOMIC RECOVERY LOOMS IN RUSSIA.

Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin yesterday described the Russian economy as "on the brink of growth" after nearly a decade of decline. Chernomyrdin has said this before and been proved wrong, but economists say that this time there are real signs that the recession is ending. Russia recorded zero inflation in August while GDP, which grew slightly in January-February but fell again in the spring, was stable. Industrial output grew two percent in the first six months of this year, relative to the same period last year. (Russian and western agencies, September 1)

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