WORLD IN BRIEF : ROMANIA : 83 Will Stand Trial in Political Violence

Romania said that at least 83 people will stand trial for involvement in political violence in Bucharest. Officials asserted that the six people killed in the June 13-15 riots died before pro-government miners arrived on the scene. A Foreign Ministry statement also absolved security forces of responsibility for three people who died of gunshot wounds, saying the troops used only blanks. The statements appeared to be part of a campaign by Prime Minister Petre Roman’s government, sworn in Tuesday by President Ion Iliescu, to repair the damage caused to Romania’s international reputation by the riots.