RUSSIAN BORDER TROOPS TO GET MASSIVE REINFORCEMENTS.

The Russian border troops command yesterday charged in a statement that the opposition is concentrating forces in several sectors on the Afghan side of the border, allegedly planning to introduce them into Tajikistan in violation of the ceasefire just signed. Warning that it would use aviation and heavy weaponry to defeat such attempts, the command announced that it is adding new border posts on the Tajik-Afghan border "not only in critical sectors but all along the border" and bringing in troops "from many Russian border districts" to replace Tajik recruits. (Interfax, Itar-Tass, July 19 and 21) Tajik recruits have been notoriously unreliable as auxiliaries to Russian troops. If executed, the plan could significantly deepen Russia’s military involvement in Tajikistan despite the ceasefire just signed.

Major Uzbek-South Korean Venture Inaugurated.