RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY WANTS BUDGET INCREASE.

Deputydefense minister Andrei Kokoshin said his ministry will seek anincrease in its budget for next year to compensate for deep cutsin military spending over the past four, Itar-Tass reported July31. Another reason the defense ministry needs more funds is topay the costs of the war in Chechnya. Kokoshin’s request comesas the Russian media have been filled with stories about the sadstate of life inside the army.