I ask you please to move forward with a financial aid package to Russia in an attempt to nurture democracy in the region. Don't be taken in by those who would tell you that the end of the Cold War means that we focus only on domestic problems. If democracy fails in Russia--if a financial collapse forces a military government--we will be staring squarely at an old, well-armed enemy. The rebuilding of our armies and the stockpiling of weapons would cost the United States much more than any aid package.
