REVISED VERSION OF RELIGION BILL SAID TO BE EVEN TOUGHER THAN THE FIRST.

High on the Duma’s agenda is the controversial law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations," which President Yeltsin vetoed in July. A special commission set up by Yeltsin to hammer out a compromise met throughout August and its proposals are now on Yeltsin’s desk. (NTV, September 1) Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Old-Believers, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Baptists, and other churches were involved in the discussions, with members of the presidential staff. The draft is expected to be discussed early this month at a special session of President Yeltsin’s Council for Interaction with Religious Associations. As soon as that has happened, the draft will go back to the Duma for debate. (Rossiiskie vesti, August 27)

Independent observers warn, however, that, far from softening the original restrictions on "non-traditional religions," the new draft is in some respects even tougher than the original. They suspect that the presidential staff has reached an agreement with the Russian Orthodox Church and that Yeltsin will not veto the law again even if the final document is no less restrictive than the original.

Russian Government Unveils 1998 Privatization Program.