BALTBAT EXERCISE SHOWS STRIDES ACHIEVED.

The Estonian-Latvian-Lithuanianbattalion, Baltbat, has begun the Smooth Road combat exercise at the Pabradetesting grounds near the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. For the first time inBaltbat’s three-year history, the exercise is being conducted independently,without the participation of Western military personnel. Also for the firsttime, the battalion focuses in this exercise on pure combat actions, inaddition to peacekeeping tasks. (BNS, June 8)

BELARUS LOCKS OUT U.S. AMBASSADOR, THREATENS TO CLOSE MISSION.