The press cover about passing the new Russian Aids Bill (10 articles from different Russian newspapers) will be translated and placed into Conference Radical Party the day after tomorrow.

For the moment I describe briefly the situation. As it seems to me, it opens some space for political maneuver and gives us some possibilities for a not bad initiative.

The bill was passed in the third, last reading by State Duma on Friday, November 11. On Friday, November 18, a press conference of Mrs. Bela Denisenko, chairwoman of Healthcare Committee, took place in Duma. The most criticised item in the draft bill is that one in the Article 9, where is written, that every foreign citizen arriving to Russian for work, studying, AS WELL AS FOR OTHER PURPOSES should be tested on HIV in case he came from a country which does not have the agreement with Russia about mutual acknowledgment of medical certificates. It means that even tourists, respectless to the terms of visit, should be tested. The words "as well as for other purposes" were inserted by Duma into the draft bill prepared by Healthcare Committee in spite of objection from side its chairwoman and many specialists - as Denisenso said, under the strong pressure of the pharmacist lobby. She said also, that she hopes, this draft bill will be objected by the Council of Federation (Upper Chamber of Russian parliament).

The bill is sent to the Council of Federation for approval. According to the "Commersant Daily", Vladimir Shemejko, president of Council of Federation, accepts this draft bill negatively. Press secretary of Council of Federation told to the Interfax agency, that senate probably will not approve the bill.

The question is already inserted into the agenda of CF's next session under item 8. The session convenes on December 6. It means that the same day or the day after the Aids bill will be debated on the CF.

In my opinion, it is exactly good possibility for us to organize an iniative with good chances on success. The proposed actions:

1) Letter from the Party containing an appeal to all members of CF and to its president Vladimir Shumejko. The same for Yeltsin, asking to put veto. It could be good to obtain some foreign - Italian and European - signatures. Very useful could be to enclose (and anyway to have also for next second round of Duma's debates) the texts of EP resolution and probably Italian laws/resolutions on that matter (tell me please, where they are located in Agora, if possible).

Let me know, if I should write such a letter or somebody else from Rome who cares especially about AIDS initiatives could do it.

2) AD in Izvestija, which includes part about AIDS and contains appeal to write/call/fax to Mr. Shumejko and Mr. Yeltsin.

3) An Internet message to our Transnat subscribers appealing them to write/call/fax to Mr. Shumejko and Mr. Yeltsin.

4) Letter to our punti di riferimento in Russia asking them to collect signatures under the appeal mentioned in item 1 and to write/call/fax to Mr. Shumejko and Mr. Yeltsin (sending copies also to us).

5) Manifestation in front of Council of Federation in Moscow on December 6. If possible, some at least small demo near Russian embassies (Kiev? Rome??? ...).

In case we do all or at least part of this, there will be not only a possibility to get a good press cover about our initiative (the interest of both Russian and foreign mass media in Moscow permits to hope on it), but also to obtain chances to establish good relations with Council of Federation and personally with Mr. Shumejko.

Let me know, what are thinking about it.