GOVERNMENT SEEN "BUYING OFF" AGRARIANS.

By agreeingto expand support for agriculture by 3.1 trillion rubles nextyear, the Russian government is seeking to win the support ofthe agrarian sector for its candidates in the upcoming elections,Segodnya suggested August 22. Such a bidding war for thesupport of the agrarians and other groups could easily backfire,however, by forcing the government to say no to one or more importantconstituencies or face a new inflationary situation.

Barsukov Strengthens Federal Security Service.