Newsgroups: sci.space.policy
From: Henry Spencer <henry@zoo.toronto.edu>
Subject: Re: Russian cosmonaut corruption
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 16:56:53 GMT

In article <4cib74$7jq@lace.colorado.edu> fcrary@rintintin.Colorado.EDU (Frank Crary) writes:
>>It is already many people's experience that doing business with Russia
>>involves lots of hassles (learning to get equipment through customs,
>>unexpected additional problems which the customer shouldn't need to
>>worry about, etc.)...
>
>...What, really, is
>the fundamental difference between slipping the customs
>people a little money and paying an import duty? ...

Indeed, slipping the customs people a little money may be simpler.  One
of the first US firms to deal with the Russians -- back when they were
still Soviets -- said roughly:  "It's easier than dealing with NASA.  The
same sorts of problems come up, but in Russia, they all have price tags.
You plop down some cash and they go away.  With NASA it's harder."
-- 
Look, look, see Windows 95.  Buy, lemmings, buy!   |       Henry Spencer
Pay no attention to that cliff ahead...            |   henry@zoo.toronto.edu