CIS SUMMIT DECISIONS SHOW NEW APPROACH TO LOCAL CONFLICTS.

At their January 19 summit meeting in Moscow, the leaders of CIS states adopted policy decisions on three conflicts within member countries. The common denominator of the decisions appears to be an attempt by Moscow to reduce its military involvement in these conflicts and to distance Boris Yeltsin’s government from procommunist elements who have been backed by officials in Moscow, particularly by the Russian military. The decisions appear to put Moscow on record as supporting the principles of territorial integrity of states and inviolability of recognized state borders. The timing of the policy decisions seems to be linked to several factors, including Russia’s over-commitment of forces in Chechnya; the challenges of "separatism" presented by Chechen, Abkhaz, and Transdniester secession efforts; and Yeltsin’s impending bid for reelection as president of Russia.

Defense Ministers Approve Military Cooperation Plan.