YELTSIN ENDORSES PEACE PLAN, ALMOST.

Breaking his long silence, Yeltsin gave his approval in yesterday’s television interview to the peace accords signed in Khasavyurt on August 31 by National Security Adviser Aleksandr Lebed and Chechen military commander Aslan Maskhadov — with one notable exception. "I support [Lebed’s] actions," Yeltsin said, "and the latest plan of action. Except for one issue — the withdrawal of troops. I think we should not hurry in withdrawing troops. Everything else I support and fully approve, as did the small Security Council, so now Lebed should move ahead." (RTR, September 5)

Moscow Continues Criticism of U.S. Strikes on Iraq.