The clear desire of the United States to aid the establishment of democracy in countries in transition, whilst at the same time broadening its sphere of influence, lies closely behind the ‘velvet revolutions’ in Serbia, Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. In putting this policy into effect, Washington has called upon NGOs and private American foundations to provide the essential links needed to create, finance and train the youth movements which have become the driving force behind the democratic revolutions known as Otpor in Serbia, Kmara in Georgia, Pora in Ukraine and Kel-Kel and Birge in Kyrgyzstan.