BELARUS TO SUPPLY MORE MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO CHINA.

Belarus will increase the volume and range of military and dual-purpose equipment deliveries to China, according to Vladimir Yegorov, former Chairman of the KGB of Belarus and currently head of the national security commission of the president-appointed parliament. Returning yesterday from a visit to China, Yegorov stated that Minsk and Beijing have agreed to step up deliveries of Belarus-made heavy traction vehicles for Chinese mobile missiles. The sides are, furthermore, discussing the creation of a joint production plant in China for such vehicles. They also plan to continue and expand Belarusan deliveries of Soviet-era armored vehicles and automatic weapons to China; and discuss the possible provision by Belarus of repair services for Chinese military aircraft. (Russian agencies, March 30)

The United States expressed concern last year over the agreement to supply Belarusan traction vehicles for Chinese missiles. President Alyaksandr Lukashenka recently concluded an agreement on deliveries of military equipment and services to Iran. (See Monitor, March 10 and 11)

Shevardnadze Conciliatory to Ajaria.