GENERAL STARTS HUNGER STRIKE ON LEBED DISMISSAL.

Maj. Gen. Yuri Popov, commander of the 59th guards division within the 14th Russian army, began a hunger strike June 19 to protest Moscow’s “unlawful dismissal” of Lt. Gen. Aleksandr Lebed, Flux and Basarpress reported. His demands include the reinstatement of the controversial commander, guarantees against reprisals for those officers who have supported Lebed, and immunity from prosecution for the women demonstrators who blocked access to Lebed’s successor. On the same day, Transdniestr’s self-styled defense minister, Maj. Gen. Stanislav Khadzhiev, warned on Tiraspol television that the Transdniestr authorities would retaliate against the 14th army if its personnel continue “behaving brutally” toward his forces.

Is Yeltsin Planning to Withdraw the 14th Army?