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2002-03-19 01:13 MSK - Russia may cut Balkan peacekeepers
MOSCOW - Russia has decided to cut its peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and
Kosovo by more than a third this year, a Russian newspaper reported Monday. The
daily Izvestia quoted Russian Land Forces commander Col-Gen. Nikolai Kormiltsev
as saying that the number of Russian peacekeepers would be cut from the current
1,962 to 1,300. Izvestia said the decision reflected the military's
disappointment with the efficiency of the Balkan missions and its desire to cut
costs. Russian peacekeepers' monthly wages stand at dlrs 1,080-1,900 depending
on their rank, while their colleagues at home earn 10-20 times less. "This is an
unbearable expense for the Russian military, and the defense ministry is eager
to spend some of the money on domestic issues," Izvestia said. Kormiltsev's
deputy Lt.-Gen. Valery Yevnevich has flown to the region to determine specific
details of the cuts, the newspaper said.
-AP
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