The situation in Russia, as reported by the Hellemans. The situation worsened during the summer of 1998. The popularity and prestige of President Yeltsin has taken a blow.
Democracy is little more than a facade and slogan for most people.
Outside of the major cities, cash is scarce and many transactions are by barter. The loans promised by the IMF provide the Russian government with much-needed breathing space, but do not solve the underlying structural problems of the economy. Social unrest is increasing. This fall miners camping in front of the White House of Moscow were joined by other distressed workers and students. Many despair of the future of this country.