Thomas Pickering on "Talk of the Nation"

[Leslie J. Dorfman]

Dear SEELANGOVtsy,

Did anyone hear the interview with Thomas Pickering, former U.S.
ambassador to Russia, which was just aired on NPR's "Talk of the Nation"?
He took questions from callers for about an hour, and he finished up by
expressing regret and concern about the drop in Russian language
enrollments.  He strongly recommended that Americans continue to study the
language, not out of fear but for the insights language study can provide
into the culture of the largest country in the world.  He went so far as
to describe the study of Russian language as important to our national
interests.  It was very gratifying, and it certainly can't hurt.  Perhaps
transcripts would be available through public radio stations for those who
are following policy decisions on such matters.

Vsego dobrogo.

Leslie Dorfman
Wayne State University