For the first time since Washington and...

For the first time since Washington and Moscow signed a grain trade agreement more than 12 years ago, the U.S.-Soviet grain pact appears about to lapse without a new accord in place. The current five-year agreement, the largest commercial pact of its kind, expires today. Administration sources said it seems certain that the long-standing accord will expire before a new one is approved. But government and grain industry officials said that not having an official pact for a short time will not disrupt grain trade.