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![]() No. 60, 29 March 1993RUSSIA YELTSIN, KHASBULATOV SURVIVE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE. On 28 March the Congress unexpectedly put to the vote a proposal for the dismissal of both President Boris Yeltsin and parliamentary speaker Ruslan Khasbulatov. 617 votes were cast in favor of removing Yeltsin with 268 against. The motion failed as by law, a two-thirds majority of all the 1,033 deputies elected--i.e. 689 votes--is required to remove the president from power. A simple majority (517 votes) was necessary to replace Khasbulatov, but only 339 deputies voted for this motion and 558 against. The Congress also failed to pass two motions proposed on 28 and 29 March on a draft resolution which arose from the meeting between Yeltsin and Khasbulatov on 27 March. This resolution suggested holding early elections of the president and the deputies in November 1993 instead of the referendum on 25 April proposed by Yeltsin. The deputies opposed the resolution noting that almost all the proposals in the document contradicted the constitution; they also were outraged by the bribe implied in the suggestion that current deputies could preserve their privileges until the end of their terms in 1995. Julia Wishnevsky CONGRESS BLAMES YELTSIN FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS. At the morning session of 29 March the Congress adopted a resolution concerning Yeltsin's TV address of 20 March and the decree which followed it, described by Khasbulatov as "an attempted coup d'etat." The resolution termed Yeltsin responsible for violations of the Russian Constitution and for the growing confrontation in society. Julia Wishnevsky YELTSIN"S PRESS-SECRETARY DENOUNCES CONGRESS. Mid-way through the 29 March morning session of the Congress, President Yeltsin's press secretary issued a statement accusing the Congress of "widening its sphere of anticonstitutional actions" and ignoring the peoples' will. The statement claims that the Congress has violated "all...measures of political decency and human morals: it continually insults the president, ministers, government, Russians." It goes on to suggest that the Congress is becoming a "communist inquisition" preparing to restore a totalitarian state, and notes that the Congress and its leadership would bear responsibility for its provocative activities and for "destroying civil peace in Russia." Yeltsin's press secretary often adopts tough positions from which Yeltsin can later move toward compromise, but the statement suggests that Yeltsin may feel strengthened by the support evinced by Sunday's demonstrations in Moscow, and is trying further to weaken popular support for the Congress. A summary of the statement was carried by ITAR-TASS. John Lepingwell YELTSIN'S BUMPER WELFARE PACKAGE. On 28 March, President Yeltsin issued two decrees providing for substantial supplementary welfare payments, ITAR-TASS reported. These had been foreshadowed in the president's speech to the Congress on 26 March and followed the Congress's resolution of 27 March on the indexation of savings' deposits. Yeltsin's first decree was aimed at "protecting the population's savings and increasing trust in the country's banking institutions." The second decree provided for, inter alia, the doubling of the minimum wage, increasing stipendia for students and the disabled, improving health care funding for government workers, and empowering regional governments to stabilize the retail prices of staple goods. No price tag was given for these measures which, if enacted, would greatly increase the combined budget deficit beyond its already unacceptable level. Keith Bush PRO- AND ANTI-YELTSIN DEMONSTRATIONS. Demonstrations were held in many Russian cities on 28 March in support of Boris Yeltsin, various Russian and Western agencies reported. The largest demonstration, said to have numbered 100,000, took place near the Kremlin and was addressed by Yeltsin. When news was received that the Congress' vote to oust him had failed, the president thanked his supporters, saying that "the communist coup has not succeeded." Meanwhile, Yeltsin's opponents in the National Salvation Front together with the neo-communist Working Moscow and Working Russia organizations held a rival demonstration in Manezh Square, estimated to have been attended by up to 30,000 people. In his report to the Congress on 29 March, Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov said that the anti-Yeltsin meeting had infringed the law by altering its planned route, and conflict with the Yeltsin supporters had only been prevented by prompt action from the Mayor's office. Wendy Slater DEPUTIES BEATEN UP. The morning session of Congress on 29 March opened with complaints from deputies who alleged that they had been beaten up the evening before by participants in the pro-Yeltsin rally. One deputy wearing a bandage over his forehead informed the gathering that he had been hit on head with an iron bar. The deputies claimed that Yeltsin himself, Luzhkov, and Minister of Internal Affairs Viktor Erin were responsible for the disturbances. Julia Wishnevsky DEPUTIES PROPOSE THE ABOLITION OF THE FEDERAL INFORMATION CENTER. On 26 March a draft resolution was circulated at the Congress that stipulated a temporary ban on interference by executive authorities in the operations of state radio and TV companies. According to ITAR-TASS, the draft specifically singled out the Federal Information Center as one such executive body whose activities should be suspended. The draft resolution suggested setting up "observer councils on TV and radio broadcasting" that would be attached to legislative bodies. In his 20 March decree on the mass media, Yeltsin proposed the creation of similar councils, whose membership, however, was to be approved by the president. Vera Tolz PARLIAMENT VOTES TO ESTABLISH TV/RADIO SERVICE. The parliament voted on 25 March to create a parliamentary TV and radio service, ITAR-TASS reported. The parliament's resolution said that the new service should give fast and efficient coverage of parliamentary sessions. Both Ostankino and Rossiya TV channels are currently very critical of the parliament and the Congress. The parliament did not suggest that both channels of Russian TV and Radio Rossii should come under parliamentary supervision, as was stipulated in the draft resolution on the state media, debated but not adopted by the eighth Congress. The parliament said, however, that air-time for the new service will come from Russian state TV and radio. Russia's Information Minister Mikhail Fedotov told the parliament that he supported the idea of the service but was concerned about its financing. Vera Tolz THE ARMY AND POLITICS: AN UPDATE. Continuing his efforts to build support within the armed forces, Boris Yeltsin on 27 March ordered the enactment of a priority program aimed at improving living conditions for servicemen and their families. While the actual document was not available, ITAR-TASS reported that it encompasses a broad array of measures that touch upon military service regulations, pension and insurance programs, and housing construction. In other news, Defense Minister Pavel Grachev was quoted by the Sunday Times of 28 March (according to ITAR-TASS) as saying that Yeltsin had acted within his rights in calling for a referendum. On 26 March Moskovsky komsomolets reported that participants of a meeting of pro-reform officers had expressed their support for Grachev and strongly condemned the actions of both Ruslan Khasbulatov and Aleksandr Rutskoi. Krasnaya zvezda reported the next day that military units across the country were following normal routines; it denied Western reports that the Western Group of Forces in Germany had been put on alert. Stephen Foye WHERE DO THE AIRBORNE FORCES STAND? IN A NOTEWORTHY INTERVIEW APPEARING IN ARGUMENTY I FAKTY, NO. 12 the Commander of the Russian Airborne Forces, Col. Gen. Evgenii Podkolzin, warned that the current political crisis in Russia is forcing the army to take sides. Podkolzin criticized parliamentary deputies and Ruslan Khasbulatov personally for having taken "unacceptable" stands on various military issues and for, in his view, having consistently insulted Defense Minister Pavel Grachev. Podkolzin at no point said that he supported Boris Yeltsin, however, and a positive reference that he made to the leadership qualities of generals qua politicians suggested that his sympathies may in fact lie with Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi. While admitting that his forces face many of the logistical problems common to the rest of the army, Podkolzin emphasized that the Airborne Forces divisions currently based in Russia are fully manned, well trained, and altogether battle worthy. Stephen Foye ON GORBACHEV'S ROLE IN VARIOUS CRACKDOWNS. Podkolzin also alleged that former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev had been fully involved in ordering the military crackdowns that took place in various Soviet "hot spots" during his years in power, and accused him of duplicity for having consistently denied knowledge of these operations. According to Podkolzin, Gorbachev was behind the suspicious movement of airborne units into and around the Moscow region in September of 1990 (allegedly to help with the potato harvest); he said that the Soviet leader had also issued the order that sent troops to Baku in January 1991. In addition, Podkolzin alleged that an estimated 4.5 billion rubles had been allocated between 1987 and 1991 simply on transporting troops to various "hot spots," and that those involved were well aware that Gorbachev's approval was required for even the smallest troop transfer. Podkolzin's remarks may be a warning that at least certain elements in the army would oppose any attempt by Gorbachev to reenter the political arena. Stephen Foye US URGES IMF TO PROVIDE RUSSIA MORE AID. The Clinton Administration is asking the IMF to increase its lending to Russia to $13.5 billion a year, the New York Times reported on 27 March. The IMF extended only $1 billion of aid last year out of a proposed $8.5 billion because of Russia's inability to control inflation and hold a consistent course in its economic policy making. The administration reportedly has also asked the IMF to impose less rigorous conditions on its lending to Russia. The New York Times quoted US Congressman Lee Hamilton as saying: "It's less important that Russia meet a strict set of IMF targets, and it's more important that it has a credible program moving in the right direction." This would appear to characterize the Clinton Administration's position on aid to Russia. Erik Whitlock TRANSCAUCASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA KOZYREV IN IRAN. Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev flew to Tehran late on 28 March for a two-day visit. A Russian Foreign Ministry official told ITAR-TASS that talks would center around bilateral relations with Iran, international problems, and Caspian sea cooperation. Diplomats are also expected to complete work on a new accord outlining the basis of relations between Russia and Iran. Suzanne Crow AZERBAIJAN FOREIGN MINISTRY PROTESTS AT FRONTIER DEMONSTRATION BY LEZGINS. Over 10,000 Lezgins staged a demonstration on 25 March on the frontier between Daghestan and Azerbaijan to demand the "unification" of the Lezgin people and to protest at the deployment of frontier troops along the Russian-Azerbaijani frontier, ITAR-TASS reported. In a protest note to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemned an attempt by demonstrators to cross the river Samur and enter Azerbaijan as "gross interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs," and accused the Lezgin movement for unification, Sadval, of exacerbating tensions in the region. Liz Fuller UZBEKISTAN TO PROTECT TAJIK AIRSPACE. Tajikistan's First Deputy Prime Minister Makhmadsaid Ubaidulloev confirmed in an interview published in the daily Jumhuriyat on 25 March that Uzbekistan will take responsibility for protecting Tajik air space, Khovar-TASS reported. Under the terms of an agreement reached at the CIS Minsk summit, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan are helping to secure the Tajik-Afghan border. Tajikistan itself is providing for border guard duty a special brigade of its National Security Committee (former KGB) and two battalions established by the new Tajik Ministry of Defense. Russian media have reported that Uzbek military planes have already provided assistance to the Tajik government by bombing strongholds of the armed Tajik opposition. Bess Brown CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE UN AID CONVOY FINALLY REACHES SREBRENICA. International media said on 28 March that the UN convoy got through that day to the besieged east Bosnian town with about 200 tons of food and medicines. Serb forces had repeatedly held up this and other relief missions despite agreements to let them through. The UN commander in Bosnia, Gen. Philippe Morillon, said he has "secured peace" for Srebrenica, and launched new talks with Serb leaders to open the way for more convoys. On 27 March a French plane joined the US-led airdrop mission in Bosnia, and a German aircraft took part as well the following night. The Serbs had threatened to fire on any Germans, but the mission was completed safely. Finally, a Bosnian cease-fire that began on 28 March appears to be holding, although three people were killed by Serb guns in Sarajevo just before the measure came into effect. Previous cease-fires have generally proven to be short-lived at best, and have been used by the warring parties as an opportunity to rearm and regroup. Heavy snows may also contribute to any success of this cease-fire. Patrick Moore CROATIA TO REFILL DAMAGED RESERVOIR. Slobodna Dalmacija on 25 March said that the Croatian electric company has decided to begin partially refilling the reservoir at the Peruca dam when the rains begin this spring. The lake had been drained after Serb mines badly damaged the structure following Croatia's attack on Serb forces at the end of January. Many experts had warned of an impending ecological catastrophe if the dam burst, but Croatian authorities got matters under control. The experts have now decided to begin limited use of the hydroelectric complex in view of the drastic power shortage in Dalmatia, which has crippled the economy there and led to widespread popular criticism of the government. Patrick Moore COMPLAINTS BY CROATIA'S MAGYAR MINORITY. Jozsef Csorgits, Chairman of the Association of Hungarians in Croatia said on 27 March in Budapest that his organization will join a nationwide protest in Croatia against the UN peacekeeping forces' performance in the Serbian-occupied areas of Croatia, MTI reports. Since the outbreak of the Yugoslav crisis, 165 civilians have been killed in those areas, 85 of them after the arrival of the UN forces, and some 100 are missing, Csorgits said. Alfred Reisch UKRAINE SEEKS COMPENSATION FOR SANCTIONS. Speaking at a press conference at the UN on 26 March, Foreign Minister Anatolii Zlenko said that Ukraine has lost $3-4 billion due to UN sanctions against the former Yugoslavia, Ukrainian Radio reports. He called for preferential treatment from economically stronger states to offset the losses from the sanctions, and urged the UN to establish a special compensation fund for countries seriously affected by the consequences of the sanctions. Zlenko also asked for technical assistance to help Ukraine enforce the sanctions in its ports. Bohdan Nahaylo MECIAR REELECTED MDS CHAIRMAN, KNAZKO RESIGNS. Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar was reelected the chairman of the ruling Movement for a Democratic Slovakia at its congress in Trnava, Slovak TV reported on 28 March. For the first time, however, Meciar had to run against a second candidate, namely former Foreign Minister Milan Knazko. Meciar received 183 votes, Knazko 41. Prior to the election, Knazko told delegates that the MDS is threatened by political "bankruptcy." He said that the movement has lost virtually all allies in Slovakia, including journalists and other political parties. He pointed out that none of the parties represented in the Slovak parliament is willing to enter a coalition with the MDS and that journalists are disgusted with Meciar's efforts to muzzle the media. Knazko also charged the prime minister with using lies as a means of doing politics. After the election, Knazko announced that he is leaving the movement and that he will establish a new "liberal party." It is expected that up to 17 MDS deputies in the Slovak parliament will join him. Jan Obrman KINKEL VISITS SLOVAKIA. On 26 March German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel paid a one-day visit to Bratislava, Slovak Radio reports. Kinkel met with President Michal Kovac, Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar, and Foreign Minister Jozef Moravcik to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He said that Germany will support Slovakia's efforts to have an association treaty with the EC as soon as possible and reportedly discussed the possibility of full membership in both NATO and the EC. Probably the most important single issue of his visit was the transit of asylum-seekers through Slovak territory. Kinkel said that 50% of the 470,000 refugees who came to Germany in 1992, entered the country through the former Czechoslovakia. Slovak authorities announced after the visit that controls at Slovakia's eastern borders will be considerably increased. Jan Obrman US SUGGESTS MILITARY COOPERATION WITH CZECHS. The United States has suggested the creation of a US-Czech team to consider joint actions by the two countries' armed forces, CTK reported on 28 March. The report quoted Czech Defense Minister Antonin Baudys as saying after a meeting with US Undersecretary of Defense William Perry that this proposal represents a significant shift in American policy, showing that the Czech Republic is considered a trustworthy partner in Washington. Baudys said that the proposal will be considered by the Czech government this week. He also suggested to Perry that NATO representatives might operate in the Czech Republic. Perry reportedly praised the Czech Republic for its readiness to participate in a potential intervention in the former Yugoslavia. Baudys is in Brussels to take part in a meeting of defense ministers from member states of the North Atlantic Council for Cooperation. Jan Obrman PROGRESS IN POLISH-GERMAN ASYLUM TALKS. During a fourth round of talks on revisions to Germany's asylum law on 27-28 March in Warsaw, Polish Internal Affairs Minister Andrzej Milczanowski and his German counterpart Rudolf Seiters agreed that asylum-seekers who enter Germany from Poland before the new law takes effect will not be deported. Seiters called the talks "friendly and concrete" and predicted that a bilateral agreement will be signed within the next two months, before the new law is adopted. The German minister also agreed to specify the number of illegal immigrants to be deported to Poland in 1993 and repeated pledges to provide Poland with "administrative and technical assistance" in processing refugees, PAP reports. Louisa Vinton WALESA ENTERS PRIVATIZATION FRAY. In remarks to the Network (the informal organization of Solidarity locals from Poland's largest state industries) in Zdzieszowice on 26 March, President Lech Walesa put the cat among the pigeons by supporting revisions to the government's mass privatization program. Walesa said he backs the Network's privatization concept, which proposes distributing coupons worth 300 million zloty ($18,750) to each citizen for use in the purchase of state assets. The president said he does not want a conflict with the government, but "the time has come to fix mistakes and devise a concept that satisfies everyone." Visibly irritated, Privatization Minister Janusz Lewandowski told PAP on 27 March that the president's remarks signal "the entry of the dragon" and the disruption of the government's work on mass privatization. He warned against raising public expectations to levels the economy cannot satisfy, and suggested the Network's economic proposals are based on wishful thinking. Walesa seems to be treating the Network as a potential power base and counterweight to the Solidarity leadership and established political parties. During its 26 March meeting, the Network proposed the creation of a "nonparty forum to support reform." Louisa Vinton BULGARIAN PRESIDENT TO BUCHAREST. On 27 March Zhelyu Zhelev paid a seven-hour visit to Bucharest. Zhelev discussed with his Romanian counterpart Ion Iliescu the evolution of bilateral ties since the signing of a Romanian-Bulgarian cooperation treaty in January 1992 as well as the situation in former Yugoslavia and the Russian crisis. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the two called for a peaceful solution to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and pledged not to allow their countries to be drawn into military conflicts. Both presidents expressed support for Boris Yeltsin and his reform course in Russia. In separate talks, officials and experts from the two countries agreed on such matters of mutual interest as improving the traffic between Romania and Bulgaria to compensate for the closure of the Yugoslav route. In addition, a protocol of cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries was signed Dan Ionescu US LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO GIVE MFN TO ROMANIA. An RFE/RL correspondent in Washington reports that a draft bill for granting Romania most-favored-nation status was introduced in the House of Representatives on 25 March. Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly said that Romania has made significant progress toward creating a democratic society. She added that it is important to encourage further development of democracy by supporting Romania's private economy. In another development, the US embassy in Bucharest announced that a credit agreement will be signed on 29 March to allow Romania import about 67,000 tons of wheat from the US under very favorable credit terms. Dan Ionescu CONTROVERSY OVER PREFECT NOMINATIONS IN ROMANIA. Radio Bucharest announced on 26 March the government's decision to appoint new prefects to the counties of Covasna and Harghita, where ethnic Hungarians (Szeklers) are in majority. Both prefects, Vlad Adrian Casuneanu and Dan Ioan Vosloban, are ethnic Romanians. On 27 March the radio reported that members of the Covasna County council addressed an open letter to Premier Nicolae Vacaroiu protesting Casuneanu's nomination and saying that both Hungarian and Romanian residents in Covasna oppose that step. Casuneanu, who is member of the ruling Democratic National Salvation Front, was criticized by Radio Budapest on 25 March for having allegedly made nationalistic remarks in his maiden speech in Miercurea Ciuc. The Hungarian Democratic Federation of Romania called on 26 March for a campaign of civic insubordination against Casuneanu and for the nomination of ethnic Hungarian prefects in counties with Hungarian majority. Last summer former Premier Theodor Stolojan tried to nominate Romanian prefects to Covasna and Harghita, but later appointed a mixed Romanian-Hungarian tandem in each of the counties. Dan Ionescu EC, WORLD BANK LOANS TO HUNGARY. Sir Leon Brittan, EC Commissioner for Economic Affairs, visited Budapest on 26 March and announced two 5 million ecu loans to Hungary in the framework of the EC's PHARE aid program, MTI and Radio Budapest report. The first five million are to be used by 1995 to help speed up the legal harmonization measures needed for the carrying out of Hungary's association agreement with the EC; the second loan is intended to modernize four Hungarian border-crossing points. On the same day, the World Bank announced a $90-million loan to Hungary, to be made available by 1996-97, to rebuild highways and bridges and modernize traffic safety. Alfred Reisch HUNGARIAN SMALLHOLDERS' PARTY MEETS. The national board and national assembly of the Independent Smallholders' Party met on 27-28 March, MTI reports. By overwhelming majorities both bodies elected Chairman Jozsef Torgyan as the party's candidate for prime minister in the spring 1994 general elections. The assembly called upon Premier Jozsef Antall, whom Torgyan openly attacked in his speech, to take immediate steps to turn over the land that can be cultivated and provide long-term, interest-free loans to agricultural producers. Alfred Reisch KOZYREV TO KHASBULATOV ABOUT PARFENOV. Baltic media reported on 27 March that Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev has sent a request to the chairman of the Supreme Soviet for help in obtaining prompt ratification of the Latvian-Russian treaty dealing with, among other matters, the transfer of convicted criminals to serve out their sentences in their homeland. Kozyrev said that his request was motivated by the situation of convicted Riga OMON leader Sergei Parfenov, who is currently in prison in Latvia and whom Lithuania has asked to be transferred there for questioning in connection with the killing of customs officers at the Medininkai post in 1991. The Latvian prosecutor general has not yet given a formal reply to Lithuania's request, nor has the Latvian Supreme Council ratified the treaty. Dzintra Bungs RUSSIAN MILITARY PLANES WITHDRAWN FROM ESTONIA, LATVIA. Four combat airplanes, the last of Russia's military aircraft in Estonia, left the Amari airfield on 27 March, Baltic media report. On 26 March 15 MiG fighter planes left a military airfield near Daugavpils, Latvia, and 14 more planes are scheduled to leave the military airfield at Lielvarde, a Latvian Defense Ministry official told RFE/RL in Riga, but he said it is not clear what plans Russia may have for the combat planes at the military airport in Jekabpils. Dzintra Bungs NEW CHAIRMAN OF ESTONIAN ASSEMBLY PARTY. On 27 March the Estonian Assembly Party elected former Prime Minister Tiit Vahi its chairman and Jaak Tamm, Mart Opmann, and Peter Lorents deputy chairmen, BNS reports. The party has 8 of 17 seats in Secure Home, the largest opposition faction in the 101-member State Assembly. It will hold a congress in May at which the party's name might be changed. In the Tartu daily Postimees of 28 March, Vahi said the party has to discuss similarities and differences with respect to the present government coalition before it decides its future political course. Vahi also saw no reason to criticize the present government's results up to now. Saulius Girnius PARIS CLUB WORKS TO SOLVE UKRAINE/RUSSIAN DEBT DISPUTE. Representatives of the Paris Club of Western creditors met with top Ukrainian officials on 26 March to help break stalled Ukrainian-Russian negotiations over sharing the foreign debt and assets abroad of the former Soviet Union, according to various news agencies on 27 March. Although the Paris Club representatives expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved soon, no indication was given whether the solution would take the form of Ukraine assuming separate responsibility for its share--about 16%--of these debts and assets or whether an arrangement would be made for Russia to take over total responsibility for the debt. Russia assumed the debts of other members of the former Soviet Union last year through bilateral negotiations. For the time being it was agreed that Ukraine does not have to make any debt payments until it concludes a deal with Russia, Ukrainian Radio reported on 27 March. The pressure for Ukraine and Russia to resolve this obstacle to debt rescheduling may have increased due to Western governments recently becoming more inclined to send aid to bolster political stability in the region. Erik Whitlock NEW UKRAINIAN ECONOMIC APPOINTMENTS. President Leonid Kravchuk has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Vasyl Yevtukhov acting first deputy prime minister, Ukrainian Radio reported on 26 March. He replaces Ihor Yukhnovsky. On 27 March Ukrainian TV reported that Prime Minister Leonid Kuchma asked "the architect of Poland's economic reforms," Leszek Balcerowicz, who was in Kiev attending an international conference on economic reform in Ukraine, to serve as an economic advisor to the government. Speaking that day on Ukrainian Radio, Balcerowicz said that Ukraine's hyperinflation is a "serious illness" that needs "shock therapy" and political stability to bring it under control. Bohdan Nahaylo NEW UKRAINIAN-BELARUSIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY MEETS. A new society for promoting ties between the two neighboring states held its first meeting in Kiev on 27 March, Ukrainian TV reports. Bohdan Nahaylo BELARUSIAN LEADER REJECTS PROPOSED UNION WITH RUSSIA. Stanislau Shushkevich, the speaker of Parliament, has denounced a proposal backed by Prime Minister Vyacheslau Kebich to form an economic and military union with Russia, Reuters reported on 26 March. Shushkevich pointed out that the proposed "confederation" would mean that economic matters would be "determined in Moscow," where a power struggle is taking place between the government and the legislature. Bohdan Nahaylo [As of 1200 CET] Compiled by Wendy Slater and Charles Trumbull THE RFE/RL DAILY REPORT IS PRODUCED BY THE RFE/RL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (A DIVISION OF RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, INC.) with the assistance of the RFE/RL News and Current Affairs Division (NCA). The report is available by electronic mail via LISTSERV (RFERL-L@UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU), on the Sovset' computer bulletin board, by fax, and by postal mail. For inquiries about specific news items, subscriptions, or additional copies, please contact: in North America: Mr. Brian Reed, RFE/RL, Inc., 1201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: (202) 457-6912 or -6907; Fax: (202) 457-6992 or 828-8783; Internet: RIDC@RFERL.ORG or Elsewhere: Ms. Helga Hofer, Publications Department, RFE/RL Research Institute, Oettingenstrasse 67, 8000 Munich 22, Germany;.Telephone: (+49 89) 2102-2631 or -2624; Fax: (+49 89) 2102-2648, Internet: PD@RFERL.ORG 1993, RFE/RL, Inc. All rights reserved.30 March 1993 1 30 March 1993 1 RFE/RL Research Institute RFE/RL Daily Report, No. 61 RFE/RL Research Institute RFE/RL Daily Report, No. 61
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