Soviets Suspend Sending Reserves to Quell Unrest
Facing mounting public opposition, Soviet authorities today suspended their emergency call-up of reserve troops to stem the warfare in Azerbaijan and Armenia, while President Mikhail S. Gorbachev blamed extremists opposed to his reforms for the ethnic conflict.
The Soviet leader said some Azerbaijanis were calling for a separate Islamic state.
His comments came amid reports Azerbaijanis brought arms into the country over the border they have forced open with Iran.
Many of the 29,000 troops sent to the southern republics have been unable to reach their destinations because hundreds of Azerbaijanis have blocked airports and roads with trucks and buses, opposing what they view as Kremlin interference.
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