ODESSA : A Commonwealth Test
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Negotiators for Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday will try again in this port city to decide the fate of the former Soviet Union’s Black Sea Fleet.
At issue is one of the largest naval forces in Europe, boasting 345 ships as well as submarines and aircraft. Previous agreements between Russian President Boris N. Yeltsin and Ukrainian President Leonid M. Kravchuk on dividing the fleet have repeatedly fallen apart.
The Odessa talks are thus seen as a crucial test of whether the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States is a viable organization.
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