KUCHMA TURNS A DEAF EAR ON CIS ASSEMBLY.

Three weeks ago Oleksandr Moroz, speaker of the Ukrainian Supreme Council, sent to President an inquiry about Ukraine’s intention to join the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly as a full member. So far Kuchma hasn’t responded, but has let it be known through his aides that he doesn’t like the idea, which would tie Kiev to another Moscow-dominated arm of the institution of the CIS. Moroz, a Socialist Party member, told deputies on October 31 that they should assume that Ukraine will not be signing up in the future, but also reminded them that the Supreme Council will be debating the issue for itself on November 2. (10) Ukraine attends the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly as an observer. Kiev sees the CIS mainly as an instrument for economic cooperation and has strongly resisted attempts to link up the former republics politically and militarily.

Belarus Constitutional Court Finds For Parliament Against President.