News In Brief

Chernenko backs UN mediation on Afghanistan

President Konstantin Chernenko told UN Secretary-Gen eral Javier Perez de Cuellar Friday that Moscow backed UN mediation on Afghanistan, but hemade clear there was no change in Soviet terms for a settlement.

Mr. Perez de Cuellar met Mr. Chernenko at the end of two days of talks with Soviet leaders, ahead of UN-organized talks in Geneva next month aimed at settling the conflict and bringing about the withdrawal of Soviet troops.