FAR EASTERN OFFICIALS DENY JAPANESE REPORT ON KURIL ISLANDS.

The governor of the Sakhalin region and the Deputy Commander of Russia’s Pacific Border Guard District denied during a joint press conference yesterday that Russia plans to withdraw all its military formations — including Border Guard units — from the disputed South Kuril Islands. The two men, who were referring to a published report in a Japanese newspaper, proclaimed that the islands are and will remain Russian territory. (Itar-Tass, May 28)

Indonesia Could Turn to Moscow for Aircraft Purchase.