RUSSIAN CREW DETAINED IN AFGHANISTAN.

Russia’s ForeignMinistry demands the release of the Russian crew of an IL-76 aircraftforced down early in the week near Kandakhar by the Afghan religious-paramilitaryorganization Taliban, according to Russian and Western agencies.The Taliban fighters found a large consignment of Russian-madearms and ammunition aboard the plane. Denying any official Russianinvolvement or knowledge of the flight, the Foreign Ministry saysthat the plane and crew belong to a private Russian company operatingin Albania.

Update on Russian Credits to CIS Countries.