NEWSPAPER REPORTS RUSSIAN ARMS SALES TO BELGRADE.

Russia’s Foreign and Defense Ministries yesterday denied a report alleging that Moscow has supplied the Serbian military with advanced missile technology. The Times of London said that the Serbs had received new warheads, fuses and sensors that would improve the performance of their Soviet era surface-to-air missiles. It reported that it was not clear whether the arms had been acquired through official Russian channels or unofficial Russia suppliers. The missile threat, the paper said, was discussed on October 6 at a meeting of the chiefs of staff of Britain’s Ministry of Defense (AP, October 7).

Yesterday’s report is not the first to allege that Russia has broken a UN arms embargo against Yugoslavia. In March of this year Western newspapers said that Russia had agreed to sell tanks, attack helicopters, ground-to-air missiles and MiG-29 warplanes to Yugoslavia. Russian authorities denied those accusations as well. There have nonetheless been contacts between the Russia and Yugoslav defense establishments. Possible Russian arms sales to Belgrade have been among the topics discussed. There have also been suggestions in Russia that Moscow might cease to observe the arms embargo on Belgrade in the event of a foreign military intervention in Yugoslavia (Nezavisimaya gazeta, June 18).

RUSSIA READY TO DELIVER MISSILES TO CYPRUS.