MOSCOW OBSCURING COST OF WAR IN CHECHNYA?

The SIPRI report also suggested that the Russian government "may be concealing the true extent of the economic costs" of its war in Chechnya "in order to secure continued international financing for its reforms." Among other things, SIPRI speculated that official cost estimates for the war are based on assumptions that it will soon be over, a conclusion that the respected research organization viewed with some skepticism. (Reuter, June 13)

Moscow: Debt Talks with Syria.