GEORGIAN ARMY DEMORALIZED, MINISTER SAYS.

Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze admitted during a July 10 press conference that “a defeatist syndrome exists” in the Georgian army since last May’s fighting in Abkhazia. According to Tevzadze, this “purely psychological syndrome” is in the process of being overcome through more intensive troop training. (Russian agencies, July 10) Georgia’s political leadership in effect accepted military defeat in May by deciding to keep the army out of the fighting in Abkhazia.

Meanwhile in that region sporadic fighting continues, according to Maj. Gen. Haroum al-Rashid, head of the UN Mission of Military Observers in Georgia (UNOMIG). He announced yesterday that clashes between Abkhaz and Georgian armed groups and the mining of roads have forced UNOMIG to curtail patrolling in general, and to monitor the area of fighting from the air only. (Russian agencies, July 12)

COMMUNIST FRONT CREATED IN AZERBAIJAN.