The World - News from Sept. 21, 1988

Wine, beer, cognac and champagne will now be available in Soviet food stores, but the Kremlin plans to continue sharp restrictions on the sale of vodka, the Communist Party newspaper Pravda reported. The daily said that the Council of Ministers has reviewed measures introduced by Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev in 1985, including cutting production of strong drink in half, reducing sales hours and closing some shops, and decided to permit the sale of some liquor in food stores. The policy governing the sale of distilled liquors, such as vodka, has not changed. Soviets who want to buy vodka must shop at special stores only between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and can buy only two bottles a person.