MOSCOW URGES IFOR EXTENSION.

The head of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Bosnia said in Brussels yesterday that IFOR should remain in Bosnia beyond the expiration of its current mandate on December 20. According to Col. Gen. Leonty Shevtsov, a withdrawal from Bosnia would lead to a renewal of hostilities there because IFOR is the "only guarantee of peace" in the region. Shevtsov recommended that the current IFOR contingent be halved if its mandate is renewed. (Interfax, October 24)

Moscow Pressed to Participate in NATO PfP.