
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 22, 1993                   TAG: 9304220437
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SOUTHWEST VA. COULD TEACH RUSSIA

I FAIL to understand why American officials speak of the vast natural resources of Russia and the pressing need for American economic aid in the same breath without drawing the obvious conclusion.

I am certain that there are enterprising Americans who would be delighted to pay the Russian government handsomely for oil and mineral rights and even help them get these resources out of the ground.

There is no better way for the Russians to learn the rudiments of American capitalism than through this experience, just as Southwest Virginia did in the 1890s. We are even learning a few lessons 100 years later. EDWARD L. HENSON JR. WISE

by CNB