>I guess what surprises me is that this has not changed since the early 80's (when I was there for a very short visit). For some reason I thought corruption like this (I consider it corruption if not at least unfair business practices) had all changed when the Soviet Union broke up into its constituent republics. I'm sorry to hear it has not.
>

For me that is everyday reality. After the West closed it doors for legel immigration we live like in sleep - no hope, no future, no escape :(
But anyway, my life is not finished yet finaly and I can write programms, using the best tool - MS VFP :)

Good luck,
Thank you very much for your conversation.