US, JAPANESE FIRMS TO SIGN SAKHALIN OIL DEAL.

Without waitingfor the Federation Council and Yeltsin to approve a Duma-passedmeasure that establishes firmer rules for foreign investors, Exxonand the Japanese Sodeco oil companies will sign an agreement todevelop a major oil field off Russia’s Sakhalin Island in thePacific, Russian radio reported June 26.

Ruble’s Rise Sets Off Spending Spree.