FINNO-UGRIC CONGRESS DISCUSSES CULTURAL REVIVAL.

Representativesof Finno-Ugric peoples from the Russian Federation and from kindredFinland, Estonia, and Hungary are currently attending a congressof Finno-Ugric studies in Jyvaskyla, Finland, Interfax reportedAugust 11. The event is the latest in a series of Finno-Ugricgatherings in recent months. Addressing the congress, Estonianpresident Lennart Meri observed that the aspirations of Finno-Ugricpeoples in the Russian Federation are comparable to the nationalawakening of Estonians, Finns, and Hungarians in the nineteenthcentury, and that these three peoples which now have their owncountries are obligated to assist the other 18 Finno-Ugric peopleswhich do not. Meri called for the establishment of Finno-Ugriccultural centers in Russian Federation regions inhabited by thosepeoples, e.g. Mariy-El republic, Komi republic, and Khanty-Mansiyskdistrict. "In this way we will help the culture’s recoveryfrom its russified state."

Russian Crew Detained in Afghanistan.