RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT TO HELP AILING AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY.

The Russian aircraft industry will not build even 20 planes this year despite a capacity to produce nearly 200, according to First Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Bolshakov. He said that a draft resolution to help the industry was being prepared. It includes a limitation on importing foreign aircraft and a reduction in the value added tax on Russian planes. Rosvooruzheniye will be directed to pay its multi-million dollar debts to the aircraft plants in Saratov and Novosibirsk. (Interfax, October 19)

Russians Downrange of Baikonur Want it Closed.