Earlier in the day, President Yeltsin signed a robust export control law the Duma had passed. The President and Vice President noted Russia s new policy and legal framework and institutional base for addressing this issue, and agreed to approve additional Russian rocket launches of commercial U.S. satellites. That the Russians do is more important than what they say. The Upper House of Parliament, which is more region-based than the Duma, deals more with issues of importance to Russians. This is part of a unique moment as the regions start to play a larger role opposite Moscow.
Aid is a long-term process, with results measured in decades rather than years.
Since last summer s economic crisis, Russians are more seriously adjusting their system and way of life. A new generation of Russians is coming of age, with a new way of doing business.