Russian Travel Restrictions

[David J Birnbaum]

Dear SEELANGers,

FYI.

Best,

David
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 11:00:54 -0400
From: "James M. Pasquill, II" <pasquill at csc.albany.edu>
To: SECUSS-L at LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU
Subject: Disc: Russian Travel Restrictions

        I recently learned of some ridiculous travel regulations
introduced by the Russian government that restricts the freedom of
movement of our students to leave and reenter the country.  One of our
students asked for permission to leave Moscow to attend a conference at
which she was asked to present a lecture.  Moscow University denied her
the exit visa stating that the Russian immigration authorities have
adopted rules that state that "all foreign students studying in Russia can
receive exit-reentry visa only during official vacations (January 1-31 in
winter and June 1 to August 31 in summer) except in the cases of a real
emergency confirmed by a letter, a medical certificate or a fax.  Even in
the case of an emergency 3 working days are required for the exit -reentry
visa to be issued."

        1 step forward two steps back...!!  The rules are annoying enough.
It is also annoying to learn of these rules only after a problem surfaces.
I have asked Moscow University to inform me of all such new regulations
and will share with you what I learn.  Have other campuses with students
in Russia learned of any other such restrictions and bureaucratic hoops
that you would care to share?

        I would urge all organizations which send students to Russia to
write letters to the Russian Consulate asking that Russia stop this
practice. The representatives of the Russian government in the US and the
rest of the world must be made aware that these arcane rules are a
detriment to the development and growth of academic programs in Russia and
are not in the financial interest of Russia.  Perhaps it is naive to think
it will have an impact but nonetheless Russian politicians abroad should
be made uncomfortable and embarrassed by hearing our opinions of their
still xenophobic laws.

        I also urge you all to write to the US State Department or the
equivalent in your country and request that they protest such practices.

James M. Pasquill, II
Assistant Director of International Programs
University at Albany