RETREAT FROM THE IRAQ RESOLUTION.

Diplomatic sources at the United Nations reportedly indicated yesterday that Moscow has retreated from its call last week for a UN resolution to scale back inspections of nuclear facilities by UN inspectors in Iraq. Instead, the diplomatic sources say, Moscow is calling for a joint statement by the Security Council’s fifteen members. A joint statement would carry less force than a resolution, and had been suggested earlier by Washington. (AP, April 29) Moscow, which has been Baghdad’s strongest backer on the Security Council, was criticized by Iraqi authorities last week for the draft resolution. Iraq said that the resolution did not go far enough toward a total lifting of sanctions on Baghdad. (See Monitor, April 27)

CHUBAIS TO HEAD ELECTRICITY GIANT.