Where, oh where, have the regions wages gone?
Again exposing the growing inability of the federal authorities to lead the country, the finance ministry is asking 17 regions where the money earmarked for the payment of wages for teachers, doctors, and cultural workers has gone. Federal funds sent to pay current wages have not been disbursed by 17 regions (including Adygeya, Buryatia, Altay Kray, Magadan Oblast, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Koryak Autonomous Okrug, Kemerovo Oblast, Arkhangelsk Oblast). (Rossiyskaya gazeta, 10 Dec 98, p. 1; FBIS-SOV-98-344) To some degree it must be expected that, with the abrogation of federal leadership, the regions have established their own priorities and will spend federal funds received as they see fit, regardless of the initial conditions upon which such grants are dispensed by the center. There is simply no effective way to bring the regions to heel; Moscow will have to keep this in mind when negotiating countrywide solutions to problems. It is very important to include the interests of the reg
