RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT DELIGHTED WITH PROGRESS OF DEBUT EUROBOND ISSUE.

Russia has announced further details of its forthcoming eurobond issue, promising a yield of approximately 9.5 percent. The Russian government is understood to have been anxious to keep interest below 10 percent, so this is being seen in western financial circles as a significant achievement that will give Russia a psychological boost and improve its chances of raising further sums on international markets. (BBC World Service, November 21)

Russia May Join WTO in 1997.