Russian Constitution is Pretty Good

By the way, I am glad to see that today President Obama is recommending that Russia join the World Trade Organization.  I'm sure Russia will make lasting contributions.

But I want to bring up my travel to the Soviet Union, Moscow, in the late 1980's.  I was privileged to discuss the Soviet's new constitution for several hours over the course of my visit through an interpreter with personages I understood were to be involved in its construction.

It's been a long time since, but I remember making the following critical discussion points:
1.  The old Soviet Union should be divided up into several independent republics. It's good for economic competition and for efficiency in industrial organization.  Altogether, they should form a confederation, working in unity for the good of the whole.  I thought the term suitable to the identity of the whole would be The Confederation of  Independent States; and their term today does not sharply differ.
2.  Since many of these identifiable entities that would form the Confederation have separate languages and cultures, I recommended that the national language of each be reflected in  the textbooks and legal documents of each region (rather than in Russian).  This promotes pride and nationalism per republic.  Of course, each would have its own economy and independent ways, though together they  would be interrelated as was the case already.

I believe that over the many years since its adoption, the Constitution has served the republics well.  I am glad they have retained the sense of a confederation of independent states.

Just recently in Georgia, there has been opportunity to create  yet another republic for  Russians living in an area of the region, enabling them to retain a unique self identity--again, showing the viability of the new Constitution to handle ethnic divisions and cultural diversity yet promoting unity of purpose.

Good luck Russia with the new Constitution!  I was glad to be present during the formation of such an important document!  I try to keep up with what's happening  in that region of the world through the Kennan Institute in Washington, DC, whenever I'm on the East Coast.