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n-1-1-012.70.3.Z
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1994-03-26
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012.70.3 USSR GLASNET
by Anatoly Voronov <avoronov@glas.apc.org>
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 <avoronov@glas.apc.org>
Glasnet USA Director is David Caulkins <dcaulkins@igc.org>