DATE=8/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237791
TITLE=RUSSIA-US PERSPECTIVE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=BARRY WOOD
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SOME PROMINENT RUSSIAN ANALYSTS IN WASHINGTON ARE
VOICING DEEP FOREBODING ABOUT RUSSIA'S FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL
CRISIS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.
TEXT: ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI , FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER'S TOP
SECURITY ADVISER, SAYS RUSSIA IS ENTERING A DANGEROUS CRISIS.
SPEAKING ON C-N-B-C TELEVISION, MR. BRZEZINSKI BELIEVES THAT THE
COLLAPSE OF THE RUBLE AND THE RETURN OF VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN AS
PRIME MINISTER MEANS THAT REFORM AND DEMOCRACY ARE PROBABLY OVER
IN RUSSIA. MR. BRZEZINSKI SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS PARTIALLY TO
BLAME FOR RUSSIA'S SORRY CONDITION SINCE IT ENCOURAGED WHAT HE
BELIEVES WAS A BADLY FLAWED PRIVATIZATION OF STATE ASSETS.
// BRZEZINSKI ACT //
BECAUSE WE HAVE ENCOURAGED THE PELL MELL PRIVATIZATION
PROCESS, WHICH HAS PRODUCED REALLY MONUMENTAL THEFT.
PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THEFT IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE. AND
WE HAVE BEEN BEHIND IT. THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE ARE THE
VICTIMS. A FEW OLIGARCHS IN RUSSIA ARE THE
BENEFICIARIES. AND THESE OLIGARCHS ARE NOW CREATING A
COALITION WITH THE COMMUNISTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR
PROFITS AND THEIR PRIVILEGED POSITIONS ARE SUSTAINED.
// END ACT //
ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI, THE TOP U-S SECURITY OFFICIAL UNDER FORMER
PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER.
ANOTHER RUSSIAN EXPERT, ANDERS ASLUND OF THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT,
SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THE WEST CAN DO TO HELP THE RUSSIAN
REFORMERS. HE CALLS THE FINANCIAL CRISIS A TOTAL MELTDOWN. MR.
ASLUND SAYS RUSSIAN INFLATION WILL QUICKLY JUMP TO 100 PERCENT
(ANNUALLY) AND THAT GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WILL DECLINE BY TEN
PERCENT AS THE RUBLE DECLINES OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PT
27-Aug-98 5:52 PM EDT (2152 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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