CHORNOBYL TO OPERATE UNTIL SUMMER 2000. A Ukrainian governmental commission on 15 October decided that the Chornobyl nuclear power plant may operate until summer 2000, UNIAN reported on 16 October. Officials pointed out that the plant's nuclear fuel reserves will last until that time. The plant's only operational reactor is currently under repairs and will be restarted in December. JM

UKRAINE BECOMES NONPERMANENT MEMBER OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL. The UN on 14 October voted in favor of Ukraine's becoming a nonpermanent member of its Security Council in 2000-2001. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk commented the next day that the election is proof of Ukraine's "balanced" foreign policy linked with President Leonid Kuchma, Interfax reported. Ukraine competed for the place on the UN Security Council against Slovakia, which withdrew its candidacy during the voting. JM