PURGE IN GEORGIA’S DEFENSE MINISTRY.

Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze on October 24 dismissed the commander of the western group of forces, Major-General Zaur Uchadze, the head of the armed forces’ education directorate, Major-General Davit Sokhadze, and the head of the supply services, Colonel Aleko Gulkaniani, from their posts. The decisions were made at a special session of the Defense Ministry’s hierarchy, held in western Georgia, which analyzed the background and implications of the recent Zviadist-military mutiny (see the Monitor, October 20, 23). The session found that the western command had been alerted by military counterintelligence to the possibility of a putsch, but failed to take preventive measures. Sixteen more fugitive rebels, mostly soldiers, were reported arrested on October 23 (Kavkazia press, Tbilisi radio and television cited by Russian agencies, October 23-24).

INTER-TAJIK POLITICAL NEGOTIATIONS DEADLOCKED.