Russia yesterday refused to withdraw its remaining forces and military equipment from the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Moldova, repudiating a 4-year-old pledge to do so by the end of this year

Russia yesterday refused to withdraw its remaining forces and military equipment from the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Moldova, repudiating a 4-year-old pledge to do so by the end of this year. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, attending the annual ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), expressed "regret" that the 55-member group had failed to reach consensus on the issue because of Moscow's objection. "I had hoped today to welcome Russia's fulfillment of its 1999 Istanbul commitments to completely withdraw its forces from Moldova. It appears that Russia will not meet the already-extended Dec. 31 deadline," Mr. Powell said. Moscow's promise originally was made at the 1999 OSCE meeting in the Turkish city. The deadline subsequently was extended by one year. "I also urge Russia and Georgia to resolve the remaining issues relating to the Russian military presence in Georgia," Mr. Powell said.