DATE=9/20/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-RUSSIA (S-ONLY/ONITER)
NUMBER=2-254104
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 


INTRO:  The U-S Congress is opening hearings (Tuesday) 
on alleged corruption and money-laundering in Russia. 
V-O-A's David Swan reports, lawmakers want to know if 
American or international aid money was involved.

TEXT:  The hearings will focus on reports of massive 
money-laundering through the Bank of New York and 
other Western institutions.  Investigators say 
billions of ill-gotten (illegally obtained) dollars 
may have been slipped out of Russia - perhaps 
including loans from the International Monetary Fund.

U-S Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers is scheduled 
to be the first witness before a House committee 
(Tuesday).  But politically, the case could be far 
more damaging to Vice-President Gore, who plays a key 
role in administration policy toward Russia and is now 
seeking his party's presidential nomination.  Mr. 
Gore's Republican rivals are already attacking him 
over this issue.

Members of the Russian Duma are also expected to 
testify at the hearings.  In Moscow, Prime Minister 
Vladimir Putin (Monday) brushed aside questions about 
money-laundering, saying the allegations are 
unconfirmed.  (Signed)

NEB/DS/TVM/gm




20-Sep-1999 17:40 PM EDT (20-Sep-1999 2140 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.