Letters to the Editor

To the editor:

I was saddened to read in the August issue of AIDS tests being required for visas of 3 months or longer. Blaming foreigners for the spread of AIDS in Russia is not the best way to educate Russians (and anyone else for that matter) on AIDS and its prevention. There have been studies done in Moscow and in other areas of Russia that show the majority of AIDS cases are from the native Russian community, not from expats or foreigners.

There must be a concerted effort among the expat and traveling public (those who are frequent travelers to Russia, as I am) to get this law overturned. It can only benefit the international community as a whole. Also, I’d like to see Russian Life take an editorial stand on this ill-conceived law.