OBSERVERS RELATIVELY SATISFIED.

The OSCE delegation, which accounted for approximately one half of the approximately 1,100 international observers accredited to the first round of the voting, gave it a relatively clean bill of health this morning. OSCE delegation chief Andras Barsoni of Hungary issued a preliminary assessment describing the voting as "generally free and fair." The delegation nevertheless registered concern over complaints that some candidates had enjoyed preferential treatment in the mass media. A number of candidates had in fact complained in the run-up to voting day that Yeltsin was receiving far more media exposure and uncritical coverage than were his major rivals. (Russian and Western agencies, June 17)

Chechen Resistance Shows Restraint on Election Day.