The reporter probably had no way to verify or follow up the story, but the message from the Russians was, "No big deal", even though the repairs there are woefully behind.

Things are already disrupted for them, so y2k can't possibly make it much worse.

Nevertheless, the idea that further problems could further destabilize Russia, which is fighting the Chechens for the second time, can't be dismissd.

Russia has historically been the "Sick man of Europe" and this has had enormous consequences for Europe and the world. Russia is too important to write off, yet they seem too demoralised to care anymore. What happens when Lebed or some other demagogue gives them what they want to hear?

Wounded bears are very dangerous.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), September 28, 1999

Answers

Don't know about "Sick man of Europe", but in the beginning of this century Russian Gold Rouble (not US Dollar) was the currency of the choice in the world. Then Commies got involved.

-- Boris (MSIS@cyberdude.com), September 28, 1999.

Forrest .... Ledbed IS my guess for the next " President " of Russia AND soon ! Because the comunist party and bureaucrats from the "original" bunch STILL hold vital seats in the Duma and gov positions, I think the stage is set for the end of 'democracy' in Russia, with or without Yeltsen's stamp of approval. Have you ever heard him in interviews ? VERY strong , dynamic and NO nonsense kind of guy . He will take firm control, and from what I have heard him say on TV, we WILL go back to a confrontation type situation with the 'bear', AND, because of our weak president/foreign policy/Y2K distress and induced spy/EXTERNAL terrorism, he will succeed in threating us at a very vunerable time . This is the distraction the Russian people need to take their minds off of their our problems and give them someone to focus (hate) on for the state of their conditions. Back in late 97-early 98, there were reports that 300,000 million given to dismantle nukes was actually spent to build TWO nuke proof, underground subways from Moscow, 30 miles to an airport outside of same , to be used by party members to connect with flights to the Urals in the event of a nuclear war ! Some Congressman stated he would 'get to the bottom of this'; but of course, that was the last heard about the money, which we give them, NO STRINGS ATTACHED !! I firmly believe the reports that this has been a "set up" from the eighties to weaken us, even get us to send them grain shipments, which they store underground by the thousands of tons, while the people go hungry AND become more disenchanted with " democracy ". The underground city in the Urals is reported to be as big a all of Washington, D.C. ; with factories, stores, hospitals and living quaters for the residents. Since 1976, you could NOT construct an appartment building in Russia unless you had nuclear provision (sub-sub-basement) for the people who lived there to go to in the event of nuclear war. I haven't seen these of course, but I have been IN the ones built for Swiss citizens , who have the same rules on construction of apt buildings. Even though my brother-in-law was head of the civil defence in the canton in which he lived, NO information on the mountain tunnels that contain their food supplies, fuel oil, hospital and living quaters for Swiss citizens ONLY , could be obtained by my wife, who still retains his Swiss citizenship , while a U.S. citizen also. If I were there during an attack, I would NOT be allowed in the tunnel. The question I would pose is, if this peace loving little country has done this much to protect it's citizens, why would this country deny the same to it's citizens ? Two answers come to mind: 1) People here are too stupid to see the danger ( like Y2K ) ; 2) The Washington crowd has their private shelters in Arlington, and elsewhere, as documented on numerous 60 minutes (etc.) shows in the eighties, AND. of course, they need the money to spread the vote buying " goodies " to all the 'porkers' in the home districts. If THIS doesn't put me on somebodys list, I don't know what will. What say ? Oh, sure ! You can use the soapbox now ! Sorry so long ! Eagle

-- Hal Walker (e999eagle@freewwweb.com), September 28, 1999.