U.S. Military Hospital Sent To Georgians

WASHINGTON A dismantled 1,000-bed U.S. military hospital is beingsent from the Netherlands to the revolt-torn republic of Georgia inthe former Soviet Union, the State Department said Monday.

Boucher said the aim is to reinforce two hospitals in Tbilisi,the capital. The equipment was sent by the U.S. 7th Medical Commandto the Black Sea port of Poti and shipped in 145 containers toTbilisi.

The first of three airlifts of additional medical supplies fromexcess U.S. military stocks was sent Friday.

Boucher said the United States soon will start delivering alarge amount of wheat.

Since the overthrow of elected President Zviad Gamsakhurdia,Georgia has been governed by a State Council under EduardShevardnadze, the former Soviet foreign minister.

Shevardnadze sent 3,000 troops into the breakaway region ofAbkhazia on the Black Sea on Aug. 13. They took control of theregion's capital, Sukhumi, on Aug. 18 in fighting in which at least50 people were killed.

Monday, Georgian troops battled volunteers trying to cross theRussian border into Georgia, officials said in Tbilisi.