DUMA SENDS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO REGIONS.

Althoughthe Federation Council has refused to approve three Duma-passedconstitutional amendments that would have given the legislaturegreater control over the executive branch, the parliament’s lowerhouse has decided to press ahead and to send the amendments tothe country’s regions for a ratification vote, Interfax reportedJuly 5. The measures would still require Federation Council backingin the unlikely event that the regions supported the measures.

Federation Council Ratifies China Border Treaty.