WILL BUDGET CUTS "SOLVE" THE BLACK SEA FLEET DISPUTE?

Unless Moscow increases its planned budget for the Black SeaFleet, that military unit will cease to exist, the Russian RearAdmiral in charge of the fleet’s maintenance and repair told Moscow’sMayak radio July 5. Aleksandr Alaktin said the fleet is alreadyfar behind in its payments to Ukrainian shipyards. He also complainedthat Kiev was not providing any help and that Ukrainian facilitiesoften charge the Russian navy exorbitant prices for routine work.Meanwhile, the Crimean parliament ousted its old speaker and electedYevhin Superunyuk who said he would seek a compromise with Kiev,Interfax reported July 6.

Movement and Stasis in Moldova.