"Novaja Jezhednevnaja Gazeta", November 12, 1994, p.2

Elena AFANASYEVA

The deputies entering Friday morning the Duma building at Okhotny ryad were given... condoms.

In that way the AESOP center wanted to attract the deputies' attention to the problems of Aids' prevention. The corresponding law was included into the agenda of this parliament session. But later it turned out that this action was not necessary. Without any discussion the Duma approved the third reading of the law about the prevention of spreading of the disease caused by immunodeficite virus (Aids) in Russia.

From now on the state law guarantees epidemiological supervision, diagnostic means production, medicines' safety control, accessibility and safety of medical examination, free medical assistance, social assistance for the Aids-infected as well as observance of their rights and liberties. The law claims obligatory examination of people of certain occupations as well as foreigner coming to Russia for work and study. The law provides compensation of "damage caused to the health of Aids-infected people as a result of improper performance of their duties by the medical workers."

The law is passed to the Federation Council for ratification.