RUSSIAN DEFENSE CHIEF TO VISIT JAPAN; LEBED TO FOLLOW?

Russian defense minister Igor Rodionov will visit Japan from May 16-18, Moscow sources said yesterday. Among the issues Rodionov will reportedly raise is the continued military presence of the U.S. in Japan and throughout Asia. (Itar-Tass, April 29) Meanwhile, unnamed sources in Tokyo said on April 28 that presidential hopeful Aleksandr Lebed will himself pay a visit to Japan at the of May. (Kyodo, April 28)

Moscow Denies Nerve Gas Charge.