170 



WHAT IS NEEDED 



VOCA and Cochran and a few other dedicated groups are doing a great job, but 

 more is needed. They are finding the best people in each country. They 

 provide the finest American specialists available to work and train these 

 outstanding people in current methods and technology, while instilling both 

 cooperative and democratic principles. They do everything presently possible to 

 help make these choice individuals a success, but . . . more is needed. 



Upon completion of training, these well-disciplined, intelligent people are ready 

 to hit the road running. They are excited, know how to perform, are willing to 

 work hard, sacrifice, and become successful. Then reality sets in. They have 

 all the knowledge and skills and everything needed except one thing . . . 

 FINANCING . 



Interest rates in Russia vary from 80 to 160 percent per year. Further reality 

 is, NO money is generally aveiilable for farmers or small business because of lack 

 of collateral. 



The "more that is needed" are training programs that bring more of these choice 

 people, the future leaders in agriculture, business, and industry to the USA to 

 complete an APPRENTICESHIP type of training program under the strict 

 supervision of a MENTOR who is presently involved in that particular business. 

 Upon completion of the program, the student would then go back to Russia, 

 develop a sound BUSINESS PLAN , find a satisfactory location, and when 

 approved by his MENTOR , COMMITTEE , and the FOUNDATION , he or she would 

 then be eligible for a LOAN to get started in the business in which he or she 

 has become adept. The LOAN would be a long-term loan at present U.S. 

 interest rates. Periodic scheduled follow-ups by the mentor would be an integral 

 part of the program to ensure success. 



If there is to be a true and lasting democracy established in Russia, we must 

 bite the bullet and provide REAL help in the; form of LOANS to the dedicated 

 people who are putting everything they have on the line to learn all they can 

 about a particular subject and then give all their time, talent, and finances to 

 make it a reality. Presently, we are training these good people, then turning 

 them loose in an impossible situation where' they are destined to FAIL. 



Rather than dumping all the aid into the pockets of government officials that may 

 or may not support democratic principles, we should establish a foundation so we 

 can put some of the dollars into LOANS that will generate interest and can be 

 used over and over again for the good of many. 



We also need to create other credit systems for farmers that will provide both 

 long- and short-term loans. We need to ensure that any commodities sent to 

 Russia are NONCOMPETITIVE with Russian supplies. 



TG.017, 3/25/93 



