ABKHAZ MILITARY LEADERS REPLACED.

Abkhaz president Vladislav Ardzinba yesterday dismissed Internal Affairs Minister Givi Agrba for "unsatisfactory work" and released Minister of Defense Sultan Sosnaliev (who had come from Kabardino-Balkaria to join Abkhaz forces in the anti-Georgian war) for "family reasons". Ardzinba appointed the head of his own security detail, Aleksandr Kchach, as new internal affairs minister; the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for defense and security, Vladimir Mikanba, as new defense minister; and Vladimir Arshba (a prominent field commander in the anti-Georgian war) as chief of staff of Abkhaz forces. No substantive reasons were cited for the changes. (Interfax, June 3)

Germany Explores Closer Relations with Kazakhstan.