Independent experts draw the attention of the UN to the fact that Ukraine is the main source of arms deliveries to the Sierra-Leone rebels. Deliveries are carried out in violation of the UN embargo. The report submitted by the UN Security Council notes that the Ukrainian state -owned company Ukrspetsexport sold weapons to rebels through neighboring African countries - Burkina -Faso and Liberia.

Radio Liberty correspondents summarize the results: from Washington - Vladimir Abarinov, and from Toronto - Sergey Danilochkin. Vladimir Abarinov: In one of his interviews published by a separate book, Vladimir Putin calls Cuba among the countries in which he would like to visit if such an opportunity had introduced himself. The opportunity introduced herself: in mid -December, the President of Russia paid a four -day visit to Cuba.

The UN Department of Refugees asks for international donors to donate $ 45 million to help Afghan refugees next year. According to the agency, in Pakistan and Iran there are more than two million 600 thousand Afghans who left their homeland.

The Yugoslav leadership welcomed the decision of the International Monetary Fund to again adopt Yugoslavia in the IMF. The Board of Directors of the Fund also approved the allocation of a loan in the amount of more than $ 150 million, most of these funds will be repaid the debt of Yugoslavia to the Fund. Yugoslav Prime Minister Zoran Zhizhich said that his country's return to the IMF is an important step towards normalizing Belgrade relations with the world community.

The presenter of the final information hour, Peter Vile, is talking with the editor-in-chief of the Internet publication Lenta.ru Anton Nosik. Peter Vile: The number of Internet users in the world exceeded 400 million people, increasing over the year more than twice, NUA reported the leading statistical research on the World Computer Network. In the USA and Canada, according to the report, in November 2000 there were 41 percent of users.

Foreign Minister Denmark Niels Helweg Petersen resigned. The Minister, who advocates a greater integration of his country into the European Union, said that he could not perform his functions after the Danes spoke out against the country's accession to the zone of the unified European currency - Euro - on September 28. In addition, Peterson advocates a more active participation of Denmark in military integration within the framework of the EC.

The French police detained the son of the late president of the country Francois Mitteran to interrogate him in the case of illegal supply of arms to Angola. Jean Christoph Mitteran was an adviser to the father of Africa's problems until 1992. The investigation seized computer files connecting the son of the late president with a weapon of weapons Pierre Falcon, who is suspected of illegal sale of weapons Angola and fraud.

From December 15, additional security measures have been introduced on the military bases of NATO and the USA in Italy after receiving information about the preparatory terrorist acts. On two American bases in the Naples area, Christmas leave was canceled.

720 tons of food for refugees from Chechnya were delivered from Denmark to Ingushetia. Food assistance from Denmark for 10 thousand Chechen refugees is directed today and to Dagestan. Humanitarian cargo - flour, sugar and vegetable oil - were also received by residents of the Shali and Kurchalsky districts of Chechnya, who are in dire need of food.

Hasin Raduev, North Caucasus: One of the very first high-profile murders for cooperation with the Russian authorities was committed on July 17 in the village of Alkhan-Yurt Urus-Martan district. Unknown people in masks shot the head of the local administration of Ruslan Khamidov in his own house.

Marina Timasheva, Moscow: The theatrical and television prize "Chaika" announced the names of the nominees and the date of the award ceremony: it will be held on December 25 at the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater. The prize has existed for the fifth year. She provides special attention, unlike other theater awards, younger artists and directors who are easier to reconcile with existing nominations, aged in a humorous tone.

The newly elected US President George Bush officially left the post of Governor of Texas today. At the ceremony in the capital of the state, Austin, Bush emphasized that the US President was the only reason that could encourage him to leave the post of Governor Texas ahead of time.

Possible consequences of the adoption by the State Duma of Russia (in the first reading) of a number of amendments to the legislation in the field of ecology. The topic is led by Andrei Trukhan. The prominent Russian ecologist Academician Alexei Yablokov and the Radio Liberty correspondent in Murmansk, Andrei Korolev, who talked by telephone with one of the leaders of the Norwegian Ecological Organization, Belluna Igor Kudrik, participate.

The Governor of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug Alexander Nazarov announced today an emergency in three settlements - due to the lack of heat. More than two thousand inhabitants of the Chukchi villages Providence and Ureliki are left without heat - heating systems were not prepared for winter. In the village of Nikshan, the heat system is defrosted. According to Radio Liberty correspondent, in a 30-degree frost, people are forced to heat at home with electrical appliances and stake-bunks.

Victoria Munblit, Tel Aviv: Shimon Peres, who declared his intention to put his candidacy for the post of Prime Minister of Israel, was faced with the difficulties due to Israeli legislation. The fact is that, according to the law, the deputy of the Knesset, who decided to run for the prime minister, must submit at least 10 signatures of the Knesset deputies who are ready to support him.