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Part I. First of a seven-part series by the `Christian Science Monitor' of stories that relate to journeys through Europe. How Russia is not European; Details about the author's journey from Moscow to Paris, France aboard a train; How the word `Western' will be redefined when the North Atlantic Treaty Organization welcomes the former Soviet countries of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. INSET: Where Napoleon failed to make Russia European.

Reports on the status of Russia in late 1997, almost seven years after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. The slow pace of change; Continuing support among some of the population for Communist rule; Why political ideology is not a factor in elections; The difficult task of rebuilding the Russian economy; The democratic free elections taking place across the country; Outlook. INSET: Russia's booming bank industry looks for..., by David R. Francis.