Russia’s Plea for Western Aid

Yeltsin could not be serious when he threatens the United States with another Cold War or the possibility of a hot war if the Bush Administration does not send billions of dollars in aid. America should not and could not finance Yeltsin to build a democratic society. Neither Yeltsin nor the Russian government knows what it takes to build a strong and working democracy.

Democracies cannot be bought and paid for by other countries. Democracies come from the people who demand freedom and equality. A strong democracy takes time, patience, will power and discipline.

The U.S. government should not take Yeltsin seriously about the threats of another Cold War. Inevitably a war will take place, but not between the superpowers. The war will be civil, within the borders of Russia, and out of all the bloodshed will arise a democratic society, for the people and by the people.

SHANNON McCRILLIS, Newbury Park