KYIV/YALTA DEADLOCK.

The standoff continued yesterday between Ukraine’s central government and the leaders of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Passions ran high in the Crimean parliament, which repeated its threat to call a referendum on Crimea’s status. The Supreme Soviet also announced its intention of appealing to the Council of Europe against last week’s decision by President Leonid Kuchma to sack the popularly elected mayor of Yalta, Aleksandr Kalyus. Kalyus remained barricaded inside his office yesterday while, a few doors away, the new mayor appointed by the president declared that he was in charge. Both ignored the police who, claiming to be concerned about bomb threats, tried to evacuate the building. No bombs have yet been discovered. (RTR, February)

Presidential Elections Scheduled in Armenia.