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)
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Source: Voice of America
.