RUSSIANS FIRE ON JAPANESE BOATS.

Russian coastal border units fired warning shorts at some 20 Japanese boats headed to fish the waters off the disputed Kuril Islands, the border forces command announced June 15. The vessels reportedly turned around and left the area. (Reuter, June 15) Earlier this month bilateral talks aimed at resolving disagreements over fishing rights around the islands ended in failure. (See Monitor, June 7)

Georgia Frees Bread Prices.