U.S. May Provide Food Aid to Russia

WASHINGTON — The United States will provide at least $500 million in grain and meat to help Russia through the winter, provided Moscow promises the aid package will be fairly distributed, President Clinton said Wednesday.

The offer of more than 3 million tons of food comes at a time when the Clinton administration has become increasingly impatient with Russia's economic recovery plan. The United States has prodded Russia to make reforms to attract foreign investment as well as to qualify for International Monetary Fund assistance.

Russian officials said earlier Wednesday that the nation had nearly run out of food because of the crumbling value of the ruble, heavy government debt and other problems.

A final agreement for the food aid hinges on Russian assurances that the commodities will not fall into the wrong hands nor be taxed, Clinton said.