TAJIKISTAN SITUATION DETERIORATING.

On July 10, five moreRussian border guards and Tajik militiamen were killed in fightingthere, bringing the 1995 death toll there to 33 Russian borderguards and 41 Tajik policemen, Russian media reported. Both Tajikand Russian commanders say that insurgents are increasing theirinfiltration from Afghanistan, and apparently aim to cut the Dushanbe-Khorogroad. The commanders also report "markedly increasing"opposition activities in the Garm region where several 150-mandetachments now operate; they fear opposition penetration of thetowns of Kulyab, Kurgan-Tyube, and Khissar. According to the officials,the insurgents have machine-guns, mortars, and grenade launchers,but lack a unified chain of command. At a briefing reported byOstankino TV July 11, Tajik first deputy premier Makhmadsaid Ubaidulloevsaid that Tajik resistance field commanders recently had conveneda conference in Afghanistan under the chairmanship of SaidabdulloNuri, leader of the main opposition Movement for Islamic Rebirth.The meeting laid plans for expanding the war in Tajikistan itself,Ubaidulloev said

Uzbek President Sets Up Ethnic Affairs Council.