Informed Sources

Who's Eating the Borscht in Baikonur?

Moscow -- Baikonur, Moscow'S PRIME SPACE LAUNCH FACILITY, has been in chaos for the past two and a half years, with persistent theft of gold-plated electronic parts from space rockets and satellites. Now, say recent U.S. visitors to Baikonur, there are pilferers in the pantry. Cosmonauts complain that thieves have raided the supply of specialty foods prepared for their comrades on the orbiting Mir space station. Canned meats, bread, oranges and borscht have mysteriously -- but, in this land of privation, not surprisingly -- vanished from the rocket manifests.

More Criticism for Commerce Boss

Washington -- WILLIAM CLINGER, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Government Operations, is demanding details on Commerce Secretary RON BROWN'S personal investments in telecommunications firms. Clinger wants the information because Brown, as head of Commerce, influences the industry. Brown, citing an internal review that cleared him of possible conflicts of interest, is refusing to hand over further documentation.