GORE-CHERNOMYRDIN MEETINGS SEEN STABILIZING US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS.

A commentary in Moskovskiye novosti (no. 45) suggestedthat the frequent meetings of US vice president Al Gore and RussianPremier Viktor Chernomyrdin allow both sides to look beyond currentdisagreements on NATO expansion and Russian involvement in theCIS countries. Moreover, the paper said, the sessions have convincedthe Americans that there is a "worthy and reliable"successor to Yeltsin.

Foreign Ministry Lashes Out at US Congress.