EARTHQUAKE TOLL RISES TO 1825.

Itar-Tass reported this figure June 9. On June 8, Sakhalin governor Igor Fakhrutdinov told Moscow radio that he was not to blame for shortcomings in the relief effort. Instead, the Russian finance ministry was at fault because it had not provided the necessary aid. Fakhrutdinov earlier had been criticized by Russian officials for failing to provide housing for the victims. Duma deputies were equally critical of Moscow’s handling of the relief effort during debates on June 8. Only approximately 100 people are still unaccounted for.

Russians See Country Going in the Wrong Direction.