RUSSIA’S POLICIES ALIENATE CIS COUNTRIES, NAZARBAEV SAYS.

Interviewed in today’s Nezavisimaya gazeta, Kazakhstani president Nursultan Nazarbaev comments that Russia has missed the chance to become the "CIS pivot" because of its "destructive policies which alienate potential allies." Nazarbaev calls for reforming the CIS and for changes in Russia’s policy toward the "near abroad." Barring that, he said, CIS member countries will "continue orienting themselves to other geopolitical centers of gravity." (Itar-Tass, January 16)

Setback for Yeltsin Opponents.