RUSSIAN ARMY IN TAJIKISTAN THREATENS COUNTER-RETALIATION.

Russian diplomats and the "peacekeeping" military command in Tajikistan have warned that any Tajik opposition attacks on Russian troops would be answered with "extreme force.". The warning is a response to opposition threats of retaliation against Russian forces for using their aviation to support Tajik regime troops. Tajik insurgents last week attacked Russian military helicopters parked at Dushanbe airport; and another Russian soldier was killed yesterday in Dushanbe.(Interfax, December 10; Itar-Tass, December 10-11)

NATO Expansion Clock is Ticking.