LITHUANIA SCORNS RUSSIAN AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTMENT.

Lithuania’s chief delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Algirdas Gricius yesterday assessed Moscow’s reported nomination of Mechislav Sienkevich to be ambassador to Lithuania as indicating that "Russia is not interested in good relations with Lithuania." Gricius cited Russian press articles describing Sienkevich as "a rigid supporter of imperial views." Sienkevich is now completing a tour of duty in Tajikistan. (BNS, June 20. See Tajikistan item in Perspective section below)

Hostage-Takers Force Georgia to Postpone Trial.