GRACHEV’S THRUST TO THE SOUTH GOES FURTHER THAN ZHIRINOVSKY’S.

Russia´s defense minister General Pavel Grachev and hisSouth African counterpart Joe Modise began discussions July 10in Moscow on bilateral military cooperation. Grachev told Interfaxthat Russia views South Africa as a "strategic partner"and will pursue a "clear and coordinated policy" toestablish military ties in the near future. He proposed exchangesof military delegations, friendly visits of combat planes, warships,and army units, joint command and staff drills, regular contactsbetween the two countries´ General Staffs, and informationexchanges in monitoring non-proliferation of mass-destructionweapons. Modise plans to visit Russian military plants and todiscuss prospects for cooperation in military industry with Russiangovernment members.

Chechen War Splits Red-Brown Coalition.