Number: RL30112
Title: RUSSIA'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL TRANSITION: U.S. ASSISTANCE AND ISSUES FOR CONGRESS
Authors: Curt Tarnoff, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: The adoption by Russia of a democratic political system and free market economic system is an objective of U. S. foreign policy facilitated by the foreign aid program funded under the New Independent States (NE) account of the foreign operations appropriations. Since 1992, an estimated $2.3 billion has been obligated to assist this transition. This report reviews the history of the program, focusing on the more recent Partnership for Freedom and Regional Investment Initiative. It considers several issues of possible interest to Congress, including the impact on the aid program of the August 1998 financial crisis and of legislative conditionality.
Pages: 18
Date: Updated May 5, 1999