U.S. MILITARY DEVELOPS CONTACTS WITH TURKMENISTAN.

Rear-Admiral John Siegler, identified as head of the policy planning staff of the U.S. Central Command, paid a ground-breaking visit to Turkmenistan on July 30-31. He held talks with Defense Minister Danatar Kopekov and with the commander of border troops, Akmurat Kabulov, on “developing U.S.-Turkmen military cooperation,” according to an official announcement. The talks served to prepare a visit by a senior U.S. military delegation to Turkmenistan next month. (International agencies, July 31). — VS

TAJIK OFFICIAL KILLED IN PROBABLE GANGLAND INFIGHTING.