TOKYO: DOWNGRADING THE RUSSIAN THREAT.

Japanese defense authorities have downgraded the Russian military threat. In an annual defense report they described the activities of Russian forces in the Far East as "unpredictable." The report had previously characterized Russian forces as a " tension-causing factor" and then, in 1992, as a "factor promoting instability in the region." The report must still be approved by the cabinet. (Itar-Tass, June 13)

Russians Fire on Japanese Boats.