RUSSIA’S DWINDLING MERCHANT FLEET.

Over the past two years Russia has been able to replace only 20 percent of the 300 merchant ships it has decommissioned. Valery Bykov, head of the Sea Shipping Service, told a Moscow meeting yesterday that another 80 ships would go out of service this year. Although the government issued a decree on reviving the merchant marine several years ago it has not provided the money to build new ships. (Interfax, January 30)

Mexico and Russia Improve Relations.