European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 5, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Soviets Haven t a clue when it comes to capitalism by Frank Starr the Baltimore Sun the majority of people in Russia and the Ukraine Quot Are not prepared for capitalism Quot have Only an Quot embryonic Quot appreciation of pluralism and hold a poor regard for the role of personal and political Freedom. These and other findings of a major poll by the times Mirror co. Starkly demonstrate the difficulty confronting reformers trying to establish a new economic and political system in the former soviet Union. The belief that people who make a profit Are probably doing something illegal and a preference for state ownership of most businesses collide head on with a stated wish for a Quot Market  likewise there is Little Faith that people get ahead by virtue of hard work these contradictions combined with deep ethnic divisions and fragmentation of society a institutions carry the possibility of Quot incalculable violence Quot the poll takers concluded. The poll of 1,123 russians and 586 ukrainians was conducted in May by the soviet Academy of sciences Institute of sociology for the times Mirror Center for the people and the press. Additionally a Post coup Telephone Survey sept 1-3 questioned 1,035 residents of Moscow and Leningrad now St. Petersburg. One of Tho most optimistic results of the Survey was the generally greater willingness to accept economic and political change among younger under 25more educated Urban people. Surprisingly there was a Sharp gender Gap with women being consistently less tolerant of change and less willing to take risks. The fragility of the popular commitment to democracy emerged dramatically in responses to a series of questions on issues at the heart of the democratic system. Most bluntly perhaps 26 percent readers action line Mui Cowam int Ftp Long Lino but Havo to Lotta Faith in capt Allam. A amp skin George of russians expressed explicit disapproval of a multiparty system. By a slim margin they chose a democratic government 51 percent when asked whether that or a Strong Leader preferred by 39 percent was Best to solve the country a problems. While saying that they Welcome openness and democracy they would deny free speech to Quot fascists Quot and outlaw political parties deemed anti democratic. The latter View however apparently evolved in the experience of the August coup. Before it 54 percent of russians and 47 percent of ukrainians would outlaw undemocratic parties. But residents of Moscow and Leningrad after the coup favored Freedom for All parties 46 percent a a to 38 percent compared with a 42 percent to 52 percent division in those cities before the coup. Despite their appreciation of the newly liberated Media russians and ukrainians show Little understanding of the principle of a free press. Majorities of russians and ukrainians chose state ownership of radio and television 53 percent and 41 percent favored state ownership of newspapers. While Many soviet people Quot think that they want a free Market Economy a the pollsters concluded Quot they do not understand the Basic components of what a Market system Means in  Public support for a Market Economy the poll suggested May be fuelled More by a desire for economic Relief than by a Clear understanding of and commitment to free Enterprise. When questioned about Public is. Private ownership of 13 segments of the Economy the poll found a Clear preference for privatization in Only one sector a farming. And that preference was stronger among the population at Large three out of last in a series four than among Farmers 60 percent. Moreover 41 percent of russians oppose allowing Farmers to sell their land on the open Market though 60 percent of ukrainians support the idea. The younger generation is More tolerant of private Enterprise favouring private shops and restaurants As Well As both kinds of ownership for Banks consumer goods factories health care and schools. But russians and ukrainians by huge majorities 79 percent and 86 percent and All age groups want heavy Industry owned by the state. A person in a Kiev focus group explained simply Quot while we have a dictatorship of jealousy it s hard to have private  majorities in both Russia and the Ukraine favor letting prices Rise to make More products available. But the polls takers suggest that Hay indicate More about exasperation with empty shelves than belief in a free Market. A third of the Public in both republics believe that prices should be kept Low even if that Means Scarcity. And there Are signs of Low respect for business people. Majorities in both republics think that people who own cooperatives have a bad influence on soviet affairs and the Public is divided 51 percent to 44 percent Over whether the state should limit profits. The legacy of 70 years of socialism has left a Clear distaste for capitalism. When asked to select a system for the future 46 percent of russians chose some form of socialism and Only 40 percent chose capitalism. In the More Western looking Ukraine 49 percent chose capitalism Over socialism 38 percent. The correlation Between support for pluralism and support for a free Market suggests to the poll takers that Quot if efforts to change the economic system fail it might undermine support for  Are the rules on free flights  a Quot cot Consul Milivo   leave entitlements we wore told org Molly by our losing Capo consolidated base personnel Olliee that you could go any Heio in Ihn world not to exceed the Cool to your Home of Roe Oid the Cost would tin incite than $2,700 Tor me and my family to new Yolk. Alt we wanted to do was try to Lisbon Portugal Lor $1,300, a savings to the  government of More than $1,400. Because of the air Force s Rule that you can Only try on american carriers we were denied this Tup. And Tho government its savings As a result Well go to new York and use the full $2,700 Worth of entitlements. What is the rationale behind this Rule with american carriers tech. Sgt. John c. Batista Span Dahlem a Germany _ to master sgt. Phillip d. Jones superintendent of the entitlements Branch Safe Deputy chief of staff personnel replies the cot leave travel entitlement program was designed by Congress to encourage overseas members to accept another overseas assignment. The intent of the program is to allow members and their command sponsored dependents if going firn an accompanied to another accompanied location to visit with family friends in Conics Continental United slates Between Tours. The government will provide roundtrip transp citation to the member s Home of record. 1 he member can go anywhere i e. Tour Europe or go to the United states but any costs above that to the Home of record Aio the member s responsibility. All leave taken by Tho member is harped As Ordinary leave it a member does not Dosne to travel to ins her Home of record provisions Are available to travel elsewhere through a commercially available tour package arrangement when a member travels on a tour package the total Cost of the package will be compared to what it would have Cost the government to transport the member and command sponsored dependents to the member s Home of record and return self drive Tours Are not included in this provision the base level or Ottice of primary responsibility Lor non availability determination is the local to Sato. The Quot Fly America act requires that the Quot first look Quot must be to an american hag Carrier should  carriers not be available Tho local to traffic management office must provide a statement of non Avail Bryty this authorizes use of a foreign Flag Carrier. If . Flag carriers Are available and Fly the same routes As non-. Carriers they must be used. If an individual purchases his her own plane ticket when a government contracted Carrier or a  Flag Carrier is available they will receive no reimbursement ii a member lost ins tier cot leave travel entitlement and believes he she was Misc unsealed he or she should Contact the Capo customer service unit to apply for a correction to his or her military record cot leave travel entitlement questions should be directed to the unit Capo personnel utilization Section or traffic management  write us readers action line is the readers a court of last resort Quot striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and Don t know where to turn for the answer write to readers action line co the stars and stripes Apo 09211-4211. At letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers. Page 16 a the stars and stripes saturday october 5, 1991