Read and comment on this exclusive story from the Peace Corps Press Office on the Peace Corps' response to the Russian statement earlier today that Moscow has officially informed Washington of its intention to abandon the agreement concluded with the USA on activity of the Peace Corps on the territory of Russia.
Peace Corps spokeswoman Marta Metelko gave PCOL the following statement. Read the story at:
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Peace Corps disappointed with Russian decision
At this point the Peace Corps is very disappointed that the work of the volunteers is coming to an end but we respect the right of the host country to make that determination.
Following a decade of conducting successful programs in Russia the Peace Corps will begin to phase down its presence in Western Russia and Russia Far East.
Since the signing of the agreement between the two governments in 1992 more than 700 Peace Corps volunteers have assisted Russia in such areas as teaching English as a foreign language and in business education.
The Peace Corps currently has volunteers serving in Western Russia and in Russia Far East and the two groups are scheduled to complete their service in the summer of 2003.
The Peace Corps will be working with the embassy staff and the Russia Federation to determine our next step.
According to the Russian government, the reason for the termination of the agreement is that Russia believes that they have reached a point in their development where they no longer need the services of Peace Corps Programs. Background on the Peace Corps in Russia
Read more background on the Peace Corps in Russia at:
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Russia
