YELTSIN KEEN FOR RUSSIA TO JOIN COUNCIL OF EUROPE.

President Boris Yeltsin is setting up an interdepartmental commission to coordinate the activities of the federal government in bringing Russia’s legislation and legal practices into line with Council of Europe standards. The aim is to hasten Russia’s entry to the Council.

So far, Moldova and Ukraine are the only CIS countries that belong to the CE. Russia’s application was frozen following its military intervention in Chechnya, but in September, the CE agreed to unfreeze it. (4)

Georgian Police Arrest Shevardnadze Foe.