BALTIC NAVAL EXERCISES UNDERWAY.

Swedish minesweepers and Latvian coastal guard cutters yesterday began a demining operation in the Irbe Strait and off Latvia’s port of Ventspils. The operation aims to find and destroy World War II mines that still cause hardships for commercial shipping. A similar exercise is scheduled in the Gulf of Riga. Also yesterday, Danish warships and Lithuanian coastal guard vessels began a joint exercise involving rescue, escort, and shooting practice, in preparation for the upcoming NATO-sponsored Baltops-97 maneuvers. (BNS, May 12)

Latvian Defense Minister Dismissed.