THE simplest form of assistance which western countries could give

Russia would be to open their markets to its products with fewer

protectionist quibbles than currently obstruct mutually beneficial

trade.

This is the view of an article in the latest NIESR review.

Authors John Flemming and Robin Matthews say that to deny Russia such

access must feed the belief to which too many Russians are prone -- that

market trade is a zero-sum game and that anyone offering to sell goods

must be trying to cheat the purchasers.

They feel that if the political system is stable, Russia could

gradually recuperate over the next five to 10 years and thereafter close

the gap in average income per head with western nations in, say, 50

years.

This would require a 3% differential in growth rates if Russia starts

at a quarter of western levels.