Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Associated Press - 1 Aug 95
The law, which was denounced by international health and human rights groups, was scheduled to take effect on Tuesday. But Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Demurin said it would be delayed indefinitely.
"These issues are now being worked out to reflect the concerns of our foreign partners about the technical side of it," Demurin told reporters. "Amendments to the federal law are possible."
The English-language newspaper Moscow Times quoted another Foreign Ministry official as saying the law was unlikely to be implemented until at least November.
Under the new law, foreigners living or traveling in Russia for more than 90 days would be required to present proof that they do not have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Foreigners who test positive for HIV or refuse to be tested would be deported.
Foreigners likely would have to fill out a state-approved certificate to go with a visa.
The law also would require HIV tests for many Russians, including refugees, prisoners and workers in fields that involve extensive travel.
Officially, 967 people have tested positive for HIV in Russia, 277 of them children, according to a Health Ministry expert, Alexander Goliusov. At least 156 have died of AIDS, he said. Experts say the actual number of Russia's HIV carriers is probably much higher.
Russian officials say the new law, approved by parliament in February with little opposition, is similar to rules in many countries -- including the United States.
U.S. rules, however, require testing only for immigrant visas, not for tourist trips.
Copyright 1995/The Associated Press. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.
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Copyright © 1995 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
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