MOSCOW, TOKYO SET UP SOSKOVET-KONO COMMISSION.

The Russianand Japanese governments have agreed to establish an intergovernmentalcommission modeled on the US-Russian Gore-Chernomyrdin one, Interfaxreported July 25. The commission, to be headed by Russian deputypremier Oleg Soskovets and Japanese deputy premier Yohei Kono,will meet regularly to consider outstanding problems–includingthe Kurile islands dispute–and to plan for the disbursement of$600 million in Japanese assistance to Russia.

Moscow Sees Finland as Prime Trade Route to the West.