012.70.3 USSR GLASNET by Anatoly Voronov GlasNet is a non-profit, non-governmental telecommunications network established in Moscow and made fully operational in June, 1991 by the Institute for Global Communications (IGC), which operates PeaceNet, EcoNet and ConflictNet in the U.S., and the International Foundation based in Washington, DC. GlasNet is run by an entirely Soviet staff, with the support of American technicians at IGC in San Francisco. Through a host computer in Moscow running Interactive UNIX system V/386 r. 3.2, GlasNet offers inexpensive electronic mail and conferencing capabilities to individuals and organizations in what is called now USS (Union of Sovereign States). Its primary objective is to provide communications services to new, citizens-based groups including human rights activists, educators, journalists, computer enthusiasts, environmentalists, and entrepreneurs that have emerged in the former USSR to challenge the monopoly of state-sponsored organizations. GlasNet meets this need for easy and inexpensive information exchange among groups and citizens within the USSR by offering electronic mail (e- mail) and conferencing services, with user fees charged exclusively in rubles. Glasnet has gateways to more than 70 networks worldwide. Glasnet proved its usefulness during the coup of August 19- 21, staying on-line all the time and helping the Russian and foreign users to exchange relevant information about the events in Moscow (see "Tales of the Electronic Resistance" by John C.Ausland, International Herald Tribune, Sep 25, 1991). In order to strengthen its financial self-sufficiency and at the same time keep the rates for the pro bono users as low as possible, Glasnet plans to implement new facilities, such as GlasMail (messages sent by email are posted, or faxed, or even sent by telegraph to the addressee in the USS, an acknoledgement can be delivered to the sender), GlasNet Liaison (on user's request person or organization in Russia is notified that somebody wants to establish communications with them), GlasNet Money Transfer (delivery of small sums of hard currency to USS residents indicated by the user), Glasnet Remote Secretary (may be interesting for those who can't afford an office in Moscow, but need to resolve their problems with USS counterparts), GlasNet Escort (the user emails to the Glasnet office the information about his arrival in Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, and is escorted in a taxi from the airport). Glasnet has 170 users as on November 1, 1991. 20-30 new users are registered monthly. The following is a partial list of organizations already using GlasNet: 1. Democratic Information Exchange, Tallinn, Estonia 2. Catholic Information Center, Moscow 3. Interlegal Research Center , Moscow 4. Physics Society, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine 5. Transnational Radical Party, Moscow 6. Ecological Research Center, Obninsk (Moscow region) 7. Soviet-American Humanitarian Initiative, Moscow 8. The Lake Baikal Institute, Ulan Ude 9. Nevada-Semipalatinsk Movement, Alma-Ata - Moscow 10.Human Rights Project Group, Moscow 11.Leningrad Academy of Sciences Ecology Group 12.Moscow News Weekly 13.Georgia Greens Movement 14.Protein Research Center (Puschino, Moscow region) 15.Ecology Association (Kamchatka) Glasnet address is: Yaroslavskaya ulitsa 8, korpus 3, suite 111 129164 Moscow Russia Phone: (7095) 217-6173 Fax: (7095) 217 6033 ATTN:GLASNET Glasnet Executive Director is Anatoly Voronov Glasnet USA Director is David Caulkins