MINISTERS CALLED TO TASK OVER CHICKEN FLAP.

Russia’s foreign trade minister, Oleg Davydov, yesterday dressed down the leadership of the Agriculture and Food Ministry for its attempts last month to halt imports of U.S. poultry products. Davydov charged that these efforts could have prompted the United States to erect trade barriers that might have cost Russia "hundreds of millions of dollars." He observed that Moscow needed a carefully considered trade policy because exports comprise more than 18 percent of Russian GDP. (Interfax, April 9)

MOSCOW AMAZED AT BULGARIAN ACTIONS.