AJARIA-BASED RUSSIAN TROOPS INVOLVED IN SUSPECT MOVEMENTS.

Late-arriving reports from Georgia’s Ajarian Autonomous republic indicate that Russian troops, including tanks and armored vehicles, are participating along with Ajarian internal affairs and security personnel in "exercises" that began on December 17. The actions include the erection of cordons around key public buildings in the capital Batumi and have been accompanied by official Ajarian political statements challenging the authority of the Tbilisi central government. (Iprinda, BGI, December 18. See Monitor, December 10 and 19)

Tajik Summit in Moscow Screeching Before Starting.