INAUGURATION OF FAR EAST COSMODROME DELAYED AGAIN.

The first launch from the Svobodny launch site in the Far East has been put off from this month until early next year because the satellite is not ready. Svobodny was once a strategic missile base housing SS-11 ICBMs. In its new role it will use "Start-1" boosters based on the SS-25 ICBM. An American company pulled out of a September launch because of concerns over the reliability of the new booster. (Itar-Tass, August 30, December 15)

Turkmenistan’s Agricultural Crisis May Spur Privatization.