KAZAKHSTAN HOLDS FIRM IN TALKS WITH RUSSIA.

Kazakhstanrefused either to back down on its position concerning the statusof the Caspian Sea or to sign documents granting Russia virtualcontrol of the Kazakh city of Leninsk near the Baikonur cosmodrome,Russian media reported August 20-21. But the talks between Russiandeputy premier Aleksei Bolshakov and Kazakh premier Akezhan Kazhegeldindid produce an agreement on the initial stages of a customs unionbetween the two countries.

Tajik Authorities Free Prices for Bread.