The decree called for the Government to pay $250,000 in civil penalties, but gave the department the option to appeal.

In the spring draft last year, a presidential decree called for 168,776 men to be drafted, of whom 120,900 were destined for the armed forces.

A presidential decree, announced by Mr. Yeltsin's chief of staff but as yet unreleased, calls for the elimination of the human rights commission.

The decree also called on other members of the Commonwealth to join in a treaty of collective security.

A decree of 10 June 1945 allowed for the formation of antifascist democratic political parties and called for elections in October 1946.

Although the decree called for harsh measures against strikers, it was not clear how Mr. Gorbachev could enforce the order.

The Government announced tonight that a presidential decree calls for a cease-fire to begin on Friday and to last for three weeks.

The decree called on the republic itself to impose a curfew there and take other steps to enforce order.

The latest decree called on local governments to bring cases of unlawful denial of civic rights before the courts by Oct. 1.

"Till nature's sad decree shall call thee hence."