Proving that Rudyard Kipling was wrong in his belief that "East is east, West is west and ne'er the twain shall meet", America's champion of the extreme right, David Duke, has found a friend in the newspaper of Russia's hardline nationalists, Den.


In an extraordinary interview in Den's latest edition, Duke holds forth on his ideas about racial separation and the worldwide threat to whites, and finds an understanding audience in his interviewer.


A former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, Duke has barely hidden his racist views while running for national office.


He offered a number of insights concerning Russia's afflictions. The central problem, he believed, was that the empire had broken up along ethnic, rather than religious lines.


Referring to the people of these "ethnic" republics, he said: "In cooperation with representatives of the white population, they penetrate in your economy, your policy and your culture. Ultimately you can see the result in the collapse of your statehood and national integrity".


Duke also said he believed a strong Russia was important for the white West's own health -- or at least a strong "white Russia", capable of defending "against the spread of other ways of life".


"I think the collapse of white Russia "would be a huge blow to all of Europe", said Duke, whom the newspaper billed as a presidential candidate.


Den's reporter apparently knew a number of Duke's friends and met him in a bar in New Orleans. He said he was particularly impressed by a local radio phone-in show, which "showed me a great, puritan, patriotic America, which until now has not fallen victim to the world government or to world depravity".


Duke's hostility to bulk of the media was also familiar. "Don't believe what you read in the mass media about America", said Duke, who said the the Ku Klux Klan was non-violent.


And what would be Duke's attitude, Den asked, if Russia's "moral" opposition managed to topple Yeltsin and install a government of National Salvation? Would he support them?


"Yes", said Duke. "I would support a man or party in Russian that would help the people to be strong. I dont care if they follow constitutional precepts".