EXOGENOUS MINORITIES OR INDIGENOUS RUSSIA NS IN CENTRAL-ASIA

The colonial and post-colonial ''Russian diaspora'' which is still liv ing in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, to the number of s everal millions, represents a painful inheritance for these new Soviet -created states, whose identity is affirmed by underscoring Russia's h istorical responsibility for them. However, the problem of these ''nea r abroad'' (the expression was originally coined by Russian diplomats to describe the other countries of the CEI) Russophones has become a p olitical stake, as much for the ''former homeland'', whose external po licy must take into account the setting-up of new frontiers, as for th e new republics who are trying to establish them firmly and endeavouri ng to contain inter-ethnic pressures.