NO DEAL ON RUSSIAN RADAR SITE IN AZERBAIJAN.

Russian defense minister Igor Rodionov returned to Moscow empty handed after his recent visit to Azerbaijan. He had hoped to sign an agreement that would permit Russia to continue operating its strategic missile early warning radar at Gabala in northern Azerbaijan. Baku, however, balked at the deal, apparently because of Russia’s military presence in and support for neighboring Armenia. (Segodnya, December 25)

Yeltsin Restores State Monopoly on Alcohol.