YELTSIN SACKS COMMANDER OF RUSSIAN LAND FORCES.

Russian president Boris Yeltsin has issued a tersely worded decree dismissing the commander of Russia’s ground forces, army Gen. Vladimir Semenov, for "actions that discredit the honor and dignity of a serviceman." No more concrete reason was given and the general has already dismissed the charge as groundless. Semenov will be replaced by his deputy until a new commander is appointed. (BBC World Service, December 2)

Severomorsk Now a Closed City.