FOREIGN MINISTRY PLANNING CHIEF: RUSSIA MUST FULFILL ITSUNIQUE MISSION.

Foreign Ministry policy planning departmentdirector Vadim Lukov said Russia must fulfill some unique missionas it did in Soviet times, when it sought to build "socialismin one country," if it is to retain its status as a greatpower, Kommersant-Daily reported July 27. If Russia simplytries to follow "a natural course of evolution," hesaid, "it will fall catastrophically behind the world’s leadingcountries and again cease to be a world power." Moreover,Lukov said, part of that unique mission will include certain "imperialambitions which, because they are in the blood, it will have todisplay from time to time."

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