This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The future of Russia is in the Tri-Cities this week. Five young Russians who described themselves as advocates of democracy are touring Tri-City sites, meeting with political and civil leaders and living with host families to learn more about American government and life. They're participants in a leadership program established in May by Congress that should bring about 2,000 Russians to visit cities throughout the nation this summer. Lawmakers hope the program will improve relations between the countries.
Young people are really very active in Russia.
Followers include mostly young people who support the creation of a new democratic system and the creation of a professional army. Semenov and Zhukova have been to the United States before and speak English. For the others, this is their first brush with American culture. They arrived Aug. 3 in the Tri-Cities and plan to stay through Friday with host families arranged through St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kennewick. Their trip comes during relentless political turmoil in Russia.