MANNING LEVELS SAID TO BE RISING IN RUSSIAN ARMY.

Manning levels in the Russian armed forces have risen to 75 to 80 percent of authorized strength, the head of the Russian General Staff organization and mobilization department reported yesterday. In recent years, staffing levels have been estimated at under 60 percent, a result of the wide range of deferments available to potential draftees and of rampant draft evasion. The autumn 1995 draft successfully brought more than 200,000 young men into the armed forces. However, the health levels of draftees has dropped over the past five years, said the department head, and some 31,000 draft evaders remain in Russia. (10)

Primakov Continues CIS Tour in Belarus and Ukraine.