RUSSIAN SAILORS VOTE; TV BALKS.

Early voting in Russia’s presidential election began over the weekend as seamen cast their ballots in the Pacific port of Vladivostok. (Itar-Tass, Reuters, June 3) Reporting the news last night, the usually servile evening television news "Vremya" staged a mini-revolt. Noting defense minister Pavel Grachev’s assertion that the sailors voted "unanimously" for Yeltsin, the news reader pointed out that the general’s claim suggested that the ballot boxes had been opened. Since this is not permitted before polling officially closes June 16, this would be a violation of electoral regulations that would require the sailors’ votes to be disqualified, he commented. (ORT, "Vremya," June 3)

Communist Says Yeltsin Overspends, Steals Ideas.