RUSSIAN MILITARY FACES MORE DIFFICULTIES IN TAJIKISTAN.

OnJuly 28, the Russian Federation Council ratified the bilateralagreement setting the terms for Russian participation in the buildupof the Tajik armed forces. Russian personnel are not to participatein combat, and Tajikistan is to ensure the security of Russiantroops and their families and to pay all their expenses. But asSoldat Rossii reported July 15 and Golos Tadzhikistanasaid July 14-20, things are not going well in this area. Only2100 of the 3500 Tajiks called up so far this year have been willingto serve, and the agreement which anticipates that the other fourCentral Asian countries will pay half of the peacekeeping costsin Tajikistan is fraying.