Visiting Russians and about 40 curious listeners discussed organized crime, Yeltsin, entertainment and Russian economics Wednesday at a Russian Roundtable in the Student Center.

Scott Hays, an assistant professor in political science, acted as mediator between the Russians, who are attending a summer institute on the American political system, and the audience.

It was basically like a press conference, Hays said. I would say who would like to ask a question, then ask who would like to answer the question.

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Undergraduate and graduate students, professors, and people from the community asked a broad array of questions.

Irina Milyukova, a Russian educator from Petrozavodsk, Kakelian, said the most interesting question was how the Russians will use the knowledge they gain at SIUC.

I liked it because it was a very actual question for us, Milyukova said. I’m afraid very few (Russians) will pay attention to us. Officials listen to us but when they make their decisions they still make their own. We can bring liberal ideas to our students who can

see FORUM, page 5