DEADLOCK IN MOLDOVA.

On September 22-24, Russian deputy prime minister Valery Serov discussed with Chisinau and Tiraspol leaders the future of the Russian troops and massive arsenal in Moldova. Transdniester leader Igor Smirnov reaffirmed the claim to part of the Russian arsenal for Transdniester’s forces. At Petru Lucinschi’s insistence, Smirnov agreed to hold monthly meetings with the Moldovan president and to resume staff-level negotiations, which Tiraspol had suspended amid differing interpretations of the Russian-mediated memorandum on the principles of settling the conflict. (Flux, September 24-25)

Controversial Religious Bill Approved in Russia.