Enclosed is an open letter from a group of scholars, business people, journalists and others deeply concerned about the West's role in Russia's crippled transition to democracy and a free market economy.

The signatories, several of whom are prominent American and Western economists, asked me to submit it to the highest U. S. government officials (Clinton, Gore, Albright, Robert Rubin, and Berger) which I did on March 24. They also felt that in spite of the cancellation of Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov's visit to Washington, a constructive dialogue must go on. We are happy at the news that you were able to achieve substantial understanding with Mr. Primakov.

As the initiator of this Open Letter, the Russian American Goodwill Association (RAGA), is convinced that Russian officials should be able to produce their own program of reforms, consistent with Russia's cultural and political values, as well as sound economic practices. Russia must be considered not only for substantive IMF loans, but also for the inclusion in the program of debt forgiveness recently expanded by President Clinton.

We hope that, when IMF delegation goes to Moscow next week, you'd instruct them to approach the negotiations with an open mind and willingness to acknowledge one's own mistakes.

We do not pretend to know all the answers to the Russian crisis. But we hope that a final agreement is quickly reached to mutual satisfaction of negotiating parties. We stand ready to assist both sides in strict implementation of the hoped-for agreement.