UKRAINE PREPARES RESPONSE TO RUSSIAN CLAIM TO SEVASTOPOL.

Top Ukrainian government officials stated in unison over the weekend that Kiev will react calmly but resolutely to Moscow’s claim to Sevastopol (see Monitor, December 6), and will seek to continue Ukrainian-Russian negotiations on other issues. The Ukrainian parliament on December 6 adopted overwhelmingly a resolution protesting the "territorial claim and violation of Ukrainian sovereignty" and introducing for floor debate an already prepared draft law that would set a deadline for the withdrawal from Ukraine of the Russian-controlled bulk of the Black Sea Fleet. (Interfax-Ukraine, UNIAN, December 6-8)

Agreement Reached on Gas Supplies to Ukraine.