In axial gauge, the (2+1)-dimensional SU(N) Yang-Mills theory is equivalent
to a set of (1+1)-dimensional integrable models with a non-local coupling
between charge densities. This fact makes it possible to determine the static
potential between charges at weak coupling in an anisotropic version of the
theory, and understand features of the spectrum.Comment: Four pages, Based on a talk given at ``Quark Confinement and the
Hadron Spectrum 7", Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal, Sept. 2-7,
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