Evangelical Christians remain concerned about religious freedom. a law approved last year by the Parliament. which Yeltsin ultimately vetoed. would have placed restrictions on all religious groups other than Russian Orthodox. This law is working as intended in the former Soviet Union. It has replaced an arbitrary and slow process of refugee adjudication in the former Soviet Union with a stable. consistent. and fair process. It has meant that people already terrorized by longstanding hatred and persecution in their native lands are not further traumatized by a system that does not recognize their historical suffering. or makes arbitrary distinctions among people who have suffered similar fates. In light of the current election and nagging questions about stability in the republics of the former Soviet Union. it would be unwise to let the law expire at this time. Uncertainty pervades the lives of the historically persecuted in the republics of the former Soviet Union. An extension is also necessary to facilitate the processing of refugee applicants from Vietnam. Cambodia. and Laos. Conditions have improved somewhat in these countries. but certain groups continue to suffer as a result of their previous association with the United States. their political actions in opposing hardline Marxist governments which permit no political dissent or freedom of expression. and for their religious beliefs.