GENERAL STAFF REORGANIZATION.

The Russian General Staff is going to reduce the number of its "Main" directorates from 16 to 4, according to a "well-informed source" in the Defense Ministry. The four will be: Operations, Intelligence (GRU), Organization and Mobilization, and Personnel. The 12 others will be downgraded to "Central" directorates, with a corresponding reduction in billets. Other staffs, including those in the ministry, the military districts, and the fleets will also be cut by 15 percent. (Itar-Tass, 29 October)

New State Prize for Weapons Designers.