LAWMAKER PESSIMISTIC ABOUT CHEMICAL WEAPONS BAN.

The Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee said yesterday that he doubted the Duma would ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention before it goes into effect on April 29. Nikolai Stolyarov indicated he was in favor of the treaty but thought that — "proceeding from realities" — ratification was unlikely. He listed concern about NATO expansion and financial considerations as the reasons. (Interfax, January 16)

Oil Continues to Wreak Havoc on Japanese Coastline.