E/W Letter: 1997 Table of Contents

Note: Regional Economic & Business Briefs, and Currency & Finance Update, are regular features of every issue and are not listed here.

Klaus Falls, But Fallout Unclear: Caretaker Czech government after coalition resigns by L. Stephen Joyce, Jr.
Heads Roll in Russia: Russian ethics scandals rock government by Lynda Maillet
Business Briefs: Russian region to allow sale of land; Kazakstan moves capital to Arctic, err...Akmola; Ten Russian regions dominate foreign investment; US Steel in production venture with Slovak firm; Russians to learn to “burp” with Tupperware; Russia to abolish state coal company; Now it’s coffins in lieu of wages for Russian workers
Russians on richer and poorer [opinion poll chart]
Selected Economic Data for the Czech Republic

Poles Look to Solidarity: Politics “Matures” But Policy Challenges Remain after Elections by Steven Norton
Oil, Oil Everywhere...: Kazak President Appoints Ally as Premier by Lynda Maillet
EU Expands to East, But Costs High: Current Members Worried About Transition Costs by Steven Norton
Business Briefs: Soros Foundation pulls out of Belarus; Russian Duma opposes free sale of land; Lukoil buys legal software from Microsoft; Lukoil to sell gas at retail in the U.S.
Selected Economic Data for Hungary

Pensions: Walking on Three Legs: Hungary Takes the Lead in Pension Reform by Steven Norton
Poland’s New Constitution: Years of Wrangling Produce Some Compromise
Business Briefs: Floods devastate Poland and Czech Republic; Russkiy language to be required on labels; Romania joins CEFTA trading group; Azerbaijan applies to world trade body; Poland to get American-style multiplex cinemas; McDonald’s to open restaurants in Georgia
Selected Economic Data for Estonia

Coming Home to Roost: Complacency Breeds Crisis for Czech Government by Steven Norton
Russia Takes on Monopolies: Reformers Take on Energy Giants to Increase Taxes and Control by Charles Sauer
Volvo vs. Volga [brief]
Business Briefs: Poland gets new energy law; World Bank approves new credits for Russia; Ford boost investment in Autopal; Russian approves 7-point plan to boost economy; Turkmenistan becomes member of IFC
Selected Economic Data for Romania

Russia’s Political Rollercoaster: Yeltsin Commits Himself to Reform, Again by Steven Norton
Russia’s Reshuffled Cabinet
Hungarian Energy Price Fight: Western Utility Investors Angered at Broken Promises by Lynda Maillet
Motorola Pulls Out of Ukraine Venture
Business Briefs: Daewoo in unique plan to sell cars in FSU; Georgian power shortage affects homes; Poland and Slovakia to have energy link; MOL buys Amoco’s retail operations in Romania; Romania to become member of CEFTA; GE to close Russian subsidiary; Pepsi opening a new plant in Russia; Ukraine passes new VAT law
Selected economic data for Slovenia

Heavy Net, Large Holes: Russian Taxation: Regulation and Reality (part II) by Oksana Baidina with Steven Norton
Bulgarian Currency Crisis: Tight Money Will Add to Pain of Delayed Reforms by Lynda Maillet
Russia’s Tax Travails: Russia's Government Contorts Itself to Raise Revenue by Steven Norton
Cola Wars in Ukraine: Coke and Pepsi Gear Up Production
Business Briefs: Baltics free agricultural trade zone; Kazakstan limits price increases; New Russian foreign investment law; Direct investment in Russia rises; Foreign investment program in Ukraine; Turkmenistan deeds land to farmers
Selected economic data for the Russian Federation