DESERTIONS, SUICIDES UP IN GROUND FORCES.

While the overall number of disciplinary incidents in the Russian Ground Forces in 1996 was 3 percent less than in previous years, many more servicemen tried to desert or committed suicide. A spokesman for the Ground Forces headquarters said that nearly half of all disciplinary incidents involved desertion — it was up almost 25 percent; suicides rose by 35 percent. (Interfax, February 27)

Ukraine and Russia in Talks Over Missile Warning Radars.