MOSCOW WINS CONTRACT TO SUPPLY INDONESIAN AIR FORCE.

The government of Indonesia on August 6 announced its intention to buy 12 Russian-made Su-30 fighter planes and eight Mi-17 helicopters. The announcement follows a decision made by Jakarta this past June to cancel the purchase of nine U.S. F-16 fighters because of congressional criticism of Indonesia’s human rights record. Details of the Russian-Indonesian deal have apparently not been finalized; Jakarta reportedly hopes to pay for the aircraft at least in part with commodities. (Itar-Tass, Kyodo, August 5; AP, August 6)

Russian Media Tycoon Accuses Chechen Government of Complicity in Kidnappings.