The World - News from Jan. 25, 1989

Two divisions of the Polish armed forces will be eliminated this year, and two more will be reduced in strength by 85%, according to reports in the state media. The reports did not specify the number of troops involved, but a Polish division is estimated to have about 12,000 soldiers. Poland has the second-largest army in the Warsaw Pact alliance, behind the Soviet Union. It was estimated at 394,000 active troops and 491,000 reservists in 1987 by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. The move followed East Germany’s announcement that it will reduce its armed forces by 10,000 troops and trim defense spending 10% by the end of 1990.