The World - News from April 10, 1989

Soviet citizens and businesses may lease land for 50 years or more, sublease the property to others, and pass on the leases to their children when they die under a sweeping new law published in Soviet newspapers. The decree, issued by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, creates the same right to lease animals, equipment and even entire factories. It grants considerably more extensive property rights than many had expected, even after the Communist Party leadership in March approved the principle of leasing land to family and cooperative farms. The change in Soviet property rights was prompted by the disastrous state of the Soviet economy.