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But the die is cast. Neither mainstream Republicans nor Democrats now advocate cutting Russia off from IMF aid, although both are now calling for greater controls. But at this point IMF aid to Russia isnt even passing through Russian hands - its simply being transferred from one IMF account to another, because the international body is giving Russia only enough to service its debt to the IMF in order to prevent a default that could destabilize global financial markets.
Although nobodys quite closing the door, the relationship with Russia is now in a holding pattern. "Whether or not the problem originated with the way privatization was handled, theres not much that can be undone now," says TIME correspondent Massimo Calabresi. "So Washington is trying to weather the corruption storm and focus on the priorities of stopping nuclear weapons proliferation and ensuring that fringe elements dont take power."
In other words, "reform" is on the back burner, and while Democrats and Republicans argue over whos to blame for its failure, both are looking toward long-term crisis management rather than any dramatic policy shift. No wonder the Russian masses clamored for a last glimpse of Raisa Gorbachev. By comparison with the standard of living in todays Russia, the death throes of communism presided over by her husband may look like a gilded age.