RUSSIA SEEKS RELEASE OF AIRCRAFT CREW IN AFGHANISTAN.

Sayingthey had no complaints about the conditions in which the crewof a Russian plane are being held by Afghan rebels, Russian diplomatsnonetheless pressed ahead with efforts to gain their release,Moscow radio reported August 17. The plane, a Russian IL-76, belongsto Tatarstan’s Aerostan company, was leased to a UAE firm, andwas carrying ammunition to Afghanistan from Albania.

Sverdlovsk Gubernatorial Elections Marked by Violence.