YELTSIN SIGNS REFERENDUM LAW.

President Boris Yeltsin has signed into law a bill limiting the scope of referendums and restricting their initiation. The new law places a number of questions within the reach of referendums , including decisions the status of constituents of the Russian Federation; termination or extension of the terms of office of the president and the parliament; and imposition or lifting of federal taxes and duties. However referendums may not be held while martial law or a state of emergency is in effect. The law states that referendums may be called only by a Constitutional Assembly (a body envisaged by the Russian constitution but never actually convened) and "groups of Russian citizens." (1)

Barents Sea Regional Council Meets.