GEORGIA RETURNS LOOTED GERMAN BOOKS.

The Georgian government has returned to Germany more than 100,000 books which were stored in Georgia after having been seized by Soviet authorities in Germany. Tbilisi is now receiving German electronic equipment for Georgian libraries as a sign of appreciation for its gesture. (Itar-Tass, August 15).

Moscow had allotted to some union republics the less valuable portions of cultural assets looted from Germany after World War II. Tbilisi’s decision to return its modest share of that loot creates a precedent, which Germany can now use in its difficult negotiations with Moscow regarding the return of immensely valuable German cultural assets held by Russia.

Tajik Opposition’s Recapture of Tavildara Confirmed; Russia Warns Afghanistan.