RUSSIA CONTINUES TO BACK MILOSEVIC.

U.S. officials said on January 3 that Russia had blocked efforts by the OSCE to force the government of Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic to reinstate victories won by the opposition in a number of Serbia’s largest cities in November 17 elections. (The New York Times, January 4) Since that vote, thousands have taken to the streets daily in protests against the government’s action, and some opposition leaders have criticized Moscow for continuing to support Milosevic.

Japan Battles Russian Oil Spill.