RUSSIAN CABINET MINISTERS OFFER RESIGNATIONS

Russia's top security officials offered their resignations over their handling of Russia's recent hostage crisis and the war in Chechnya. The move is expected to appease parliament just two days before a crucial confidence vote inPresident Boris Yeltsin's Presidency. Parliament members demanded that Yeltsin dismiss the officials whenthey backed down from mounting impeachment proceedings against the President. Still, the move may be purely cosmetic. Yeltsin can wait until after the vote to accept or reject the resignations.