LATVIAN MILITARY CHIEF OUT.

Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis yesterday demanded the resignation of the Armed Forces’ commander, Juris Eihmanis. A financial audit has apparently determined that Eihmanis spent the equivalent of US$75,000 of defense budget funds for refurbishing his Riga apartment. Eihmanis and several senior officers are now being investigated by military and civilian prosecutors in connection with this affair, which dates to Eihmanis’ immediately preceding posting as home guard commander. Ulmanis and Prime Minister Guntars Krasts yesterday deplored the “scandalous misconduct” which hurts the military’s prestige and Latvia’s international image, particularly since the government has cited fiscal austerity in drastically limiting military procurement (BNS, October 26).

SEA BREEZE-98 UNDERWAY.