CHERNOMYRDIN UNEXPECTEDLY TO KIEV TODAY.

Russian prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin is paying an impromptu, one-day "working" visit to Kiev today to discuss the Black Sea Fleet dispute, the bilateral interstate treaty long overdue for signing, and a possible visit by Russian president Boris Yeltsin to Ukraine. Moscow surprised Ukraine’s leaders by initiating the visit yesterday. (Itar-Tass, Interfax-Ukraine, May 22 and 23). Yeltsin may have concluded that an official visit to Ukraine would redound to his political advantage just before Russia’s presidential election, if the differences with Ukraine can be settled in a way consistent with Russian interests.

UN Security Council Statement Tilts Toward Dushanbe.