GEORGIA JITTERY AFTER LEBED STATEMENTS.

In televised statements yesterday, Russia’s newly appointed Security Council secretary and presidential security adviser, Aleksandr Lebed, accused Georgian defense minister Vardiko Nadibaidze of having joined an alleged attempt by deposed Russian defense minister Pavel Grachev and other Russian generals to resist changes atop the Defense Ministry.

Within hours, Georgian ambassador Vazha Lordkipanidze appeared on Russian television to declare that "Aleksandr Ivanovich Lebed’s impressive success in the election and his appointment were greeted with nothing but positive feelings in Georgia." President Eduard Shevardnadze "confirmed this official position" by cabling his personal congratulations to Lebed on his appointment. Nadibaidze had in fact been in Moscow for several days for official talks on bilateral military cooperation. Known to have been close to Grachev, Nadibaidze’s days as minister may now be numbered. (Itar-Tass, NTV, June 18)

Georgia’s Judiciary Acts Against Abkhaz Ethnic Cleansers.