INTEGRATION CONCEPT SHELVED.

The Concept of the Development of CIS Economic Integration through the year 2000, described as the main document on the summit’s agenda, had been much watered-down at the March 27 Prime Ministers’ meeting that preceded the summit. (See Monitor, March 28) Even so, the diluted version failed to win approval at the summit. In a face-saving procedure, Yeltsin signed the Concept by himself "with the consent of and empowered by" the other presidents, whereupon the document — though "approved on the whole" — was returned to the prime ministers "for further drafting work with a view to signing it at the next summit." (Interfax, March 28; Rossiiskie vesti, March 28)

Impasse May Persist in Abkhazia.