YELTSIN LAUNCHES V-E DAY COMMEMORATIONS.

On May 7, the Russian president began the official celebrations by releasing a statement to Russian media on the war. Yeltsin noted that “our people together survived the toughest trials and saved world civilization from fascism.” He also reached out to the former Soviet republics: “Although we now live in different states, our victory is a common victory.” On May 8, he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and unveiled a statue of World War II commander Marshal Georgy Zhukhov. Opposition groups protested restrictions on their ability to demonstrate May 9, Pravda reported May 6. And the Russian foreign ministry gave the final tally on foreign attendance at the military parade, Izvestiya said May 6. Only 18 of 53 foreign delegation heads will be at the Poklonnaya Hill parade, including only 7 of the 12 Commonwealth of Independent State leaders. (Among those not attending are the leaders of Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.)

Summit Tensions Reflect Domestic Problems of Yeltsin, Clinton.