A WAY OUT OF CFE RESTRICTIONS?

The Russian government is transferringmilitary equipment from the army to internal troops, who are thus able toplay a bigger role in “peacekeeping” within Russia and outside of it. Dumaspeaker Ivan Rybkin told Russian television May 14 that these internal troopsshould not be subordinated to the defense ministry. One reason for thiscareful distinction is that equipment in the hands of internal forces asopposed to weapons held by the army might be exempt from the restrictions ofthe Conventional Forces in Europe agreement. Moscow is currently seekingmodifications in that accord because of the changes resulting from thecollapse of the Soviet Union, which would allow it too station more units andmaterial in border areas of the Russian Federation.

Chernomyrdin “Nomenklatura Party” Seen Falling Short In Elections.