The World - News from March 6, 1989

Poland disbanded three army regiments over the weekend, but Western military attaches invited to watch said they were unable to verify the numbers of men and weapons affected. Defense Minister Florian Siwicki announced plans last month to disband a motorized training regiment and two medium tank regiments under cutbacks totaling 40,000 men, 850 tanks and 30 fighter planes over the next two years. Polish media reports said about 1,000 conscripts were released from service early and entered the reserves as a result of the dissolution of the regiments. Western attaches said the moves were part of a restructuring that will produce a leaner but more effective Polish army, now estimated at 394,000 men.