WILL THE BLACK SEA FLEET LEAVE CRIMEA?

Ukrainian defense officials said that Kiev might be forced to declare the Black Sea Fleet a foreign force, and thus to ask the fleet to leave the Crimea, unless Russia and Ukraine can agree on its disposition, Kiev radio reported June 2. This report came as Yeltsin aides Yuri Baturin and Dmitri Ryurikov arrived in Kiev to prepare for the June 9 Yeltsin-Kuchma summit. Russian officials have already begun to examine what a pull-out might mean. Komsomolskaya pravda on May 20 surveyed the various Russian ports on the Black Sea where the fleet might be stationed.

Kuchma: Referendum Will Take Place.