U.S. OFFICER PICKED AS LITHUIANIAN COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

President Valdas Adamkus has nominated the Lithuanian-American Jonas Kronkaitis, a U.S. Army Reserves colonel, to the post of commander in chief of Lithuania’s armed forces. The nomination is subject to parliamentary approval, which seems certain, particularly after its endorsement by Parliament Chairman Vytautas Landsbergis. Kronkaitis, an artillery and ordnance specialist and Vietnam War veteran, currently serves as deputy defense minister of Lithuania. In a statement accepting the nomination, Kronkaitis announced his intention to advance the military reform program with strong support from the United States. He singled out the improvement of training and of service conditions for the lower ranks and junior officers as a high priority (BNS, June 11).

UKRAINE, GEORGIA IN NATO-SPONSORED NAVAL EXERCISE.