NTV

July 21, 1997

[translation for personal use only]

>From the "Segodnya" newscast

While talking to journalists the President spoke ruthlessly about General Rokhlin, who is opposed to the current option of Army reform. As Yeltsin put it: we will smash the anticonstitutional actions of Rokhlins.

Meanwhile, our television company learned that this evening General and Deputy Lev Rokhlin will go on a trip to visit the military-industrial complex sites and military garrisons, and also to meet the population.

Rokhlin is expected in St. Petersburg, Pskov, Tver, and Murmansk. The last place is of a particular interest in view of the recent events in the Northern fleet.

We learned from military sources today that on Friday [18 July] 10 men deserted from a submarine based in one of the bays on the coast of the Kola peninsula. The submarine crew is now refusing to leave for combat patrolling. Perhaps at this very moment, at least today, a Defense Ministry commission is dealing with the problem.

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Johnson's Russia List

#1077

23 July 1997

djohnson@cdi.org