MASKHADOV IN WASHINGTON.

Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov flew to the United States on August 5. In addition to taking part in an international conference on Islamic unity, he plans to meet with the U.S. Secretary of State’s adviser on Russia and the newly independent states, Stephen Sestanovich. No plans have been announced for Maskhadov to have any meetings at a higher level. According to Itar-Tass sources in Washington, Maskhadov intends to announce a new project to attract US$30 billion for rebuilding the Chechen economy, to be guaranteed by future oil exports. The Chechen authorities have neither confirmed nor denied this. (Nezavisimaya gazeta, August 5)

PROBLEMS BEATING NUCLEAR PLOWS INTO PLOWSHARES.