CHICKEN FLAP CONTINUES.

Despite intense pressure from Washington and receipt of a letter from U.S. vice president Al Gore, a Russian Agriculture Ministry official said yesterday that the ban on imports of U.S. chicken products after March 16 remains in effect. The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, reportedly warned that the chicken ban could have serious consequences for U.S.-Russian trade. (Interfax, March 4)

Russian Troops To Stay In Tajikistan.