LENIENCY OFFER TO ZVIADISTS REAFFIRMED.

Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze has asked law-enforcement agencies to review the cases of approximately 150 "Zviadists" — supporters of the late president Zviad Gamsakhurdia — who are wanted on charges of armed rebellion. Shevardnadze suggested that the arrest warrants issued earlier against them may be rescinded if they turn in their weapons and register with the authorities. According to the authorities, approximately fifty have already done so. Shevardnadze stressed that the authorities must keep their word and guarantee immunity from prosecution to those individuals — "otherwise the credibility of the leadership would suffer." He also called for careful preparation of a political assessment of the 1991-93 events: the presidency of Gamsakhurdia, his overthrow and the accompanying armed strife. (Kavkazia Press, March 25; Russian agencies, March 26) Shevardnadze has launched a political dialogue with diehard Zviadists following last month’s kidnapping of UN military observers in western Georgia. Tbilisi’s top priority is to consolidate the country’s stability, in order to enable Georgia to function as the main transit corridor between Europe to Asia.

Tajikistan Joins Central Asian Union, Opposition Leader Joins Government Delegation.