RUSSIA OFFERS JAPAN JOINT ANTIMISSILE SYSTEM

. A senior unnamed Russian diplomat in Tokyo suggested on October 1 that Russia and Japan create a joint regional antimissile defense system, one that could possibly also be hooked up to a similar U.S. system. The diplomat said that the Japanese are aware of the Russian offer but have, as yet, not responded to it. A Russian diplomat also said that Russia sees no military threat from Japan and intends to expand bilateral contacts in the defense field. (ITAR-TASS, 10 October 1996)

Nuclear Safeguards at Facilities in Belarus, Uzbekistan.