YELTSIN DECREE ON LIFTING OF YUGOSLAV ARMS EMBARGO.

President Boris Yeltsin has issued a decree ordering the phased lifting of the arms embargo against the countries of the former Yugoslavia, the presidential press service announced yesterday. The document, signed March 9, outlines three stages for removing the sanctions. The first, effective immediately, allows for military and technical cooperation, but prohibits the delivery of weaponry. The second, beginning March 14, permits limited arms sales, excepting heavy arms such as tanks and armored vehicles, large-caliber ammunition, mines, and combat aircraft and helicopters. The final stage, envisioning a complete removal of sanctions, is to come into effect on June 11 following approval by the UN Security Council. (8)

Protecting Russian Interests in The Council of Europe.