Russia Update

The following is an article from the Moscow News about the latest information available out of Russia. The forwarded email at the bottom is from our adoption coordinator. So what does this mean...we aren't exactly sure! But we do know that the Russian government is against a moratorium of international adoptions. What we believe will happen is more paperwork. Nothing is written in stone yet.

We hope that everyone is well.

Love, Kirsten & Michael

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia to Clamp Down on Foreign Adoption Agencies Violating Law

Created: 08.09.2005 15:58 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:58 MSK

MosNews

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office intends to strip foreign adoption agencies of their accreditation in Russia if they break the law, Deputy Prosecutor General Sergei Fridinsky said during a meeting with Thomas Atwood, president of the U.S. National Council for Adoption, RIA Novosti reports.
Speaking about a check conducted by prosecutors, Fridinsky said that over 30 ofthe 52 accredited foreign agencies were breaking the law, and the Prosecutor'sOffice is going to raise the issue with the Ministry of Science and Education.
Meanwhile, Thomas Atwood told Fridinsky that although he shares the concern ofthe Russian authorities, in his point of view international adoption must not bestopped.
According to him, 49,000 Russian children have been adopted in the U.S. over the past few years. "They have a good education and a happy life and, most importantly, they have a future," Atwood stressed.
In 2004 the number of children adopted by foreign nationals surpassed the numberof those adopted by Russians. Foreigners adopted 9,600 Russian orphans, while Russian nationals adopted only 7,400.
At the same time society has been shocked by the notorious trials of adoptiveparents from the United States. The court hearings in the case of Peggy Sue Hilt, charged with killing her 2-year-old adoptive Russian daughter, are to begin in the U.S. on Tuesday.
Another woman, Irma Pavlis was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May forkilling her 6-year-old disabled adoptive son. She was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in April but was acquitted of the more serious charge of first-degree murder.
Altogether, 13 Russian children have been killed in the U.S.
In Aug. 2005 the Pennsylvania State Court found adoptive father Matthew Alan Mancuso guilty of incest and the rape of his 12-year-old daughter adopted from Russia.
Several days earlier an American couple was charged with manslaughter, first-degree child abuse resulting in death and reckless endangerment after their adoptive son from Russia died of starvation.

-----Original Message-----

From: Andrea Jacobs Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 1:52 PM
To: adopt@littlemiracles.org
Subject: Russia Update

YAY!!!!! Russia voted no for a moratorium!!! Let's worry about new time frames down the road; for now, let's rejoice in this good news :).

Andrea