Moscow - Russia's soldiers have been paid the 8.1 trillion roubles ($1.4 billion) owing to them, fulfilling a promise made by President Boris Yeltsin, the Defence Minister, Mr Igor Sergueev, announced yesterday. "The president's decree has been completely carried out in regard to the payment of debts to the soldiers and ministry employees," he told the Russian television channel, RTR. He added that the final 200 billion roubles of the back wages were given to the ministry yesterday. Mr Yelstin had promised in July that the salaries would be paid in full by September 1st. - (AFP)