RUSSIA: BORIS YELTSIN HOLDS MEETING WITH VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN скачать в хорошем качестве

RUSSIA: BORIS YELTSIN HOLDS MEETING WITH VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN

(24 Aug 1998) Russian/Nat Russian President Boris Yeltsin said in a speech to the nation that his sudden decision to sack his government was due to a need for more experienced leadership to address Russia's financial turmoil. Legislators in the Russian Duma have largely applauded the dismissal of Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko, but have said they will not convene to discuss the change until his successor presents his agenda. Viktor Chernomyrdin says he will await his confirmation by the legislature before revealing his agenda for the post he himself lost four months ago. Many lawmakers, financiers and disgruntled Russian workers have given a lukewarm response to the reappointment of Chernomyrdin, whom they partly blame for the country's economic woes. Boris Yeltsin held a meeting with a beaming Viktor Chernomyrdin in the Kremlin on Monday morning. The Russian President formally asked the Russian Duma to approve his nomination of Chernomyrdin to replace Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko, who was sacked over the weekend. The Duma has said it will not convene this week to consider the move as Yeltsin has asked. The deadline for the left-wing dominated parliament to confirm or reject Yeltsin's choice is late next Monday. Legislators want Chernomyrdin to present his programme and personnel line-up first, although there is no such requirement under Russian law. If the Duma reject Yeltsin's choice three times he automatically dissolves the chamber. Speaking on Russian television, Yeltsin said that Chernomyrdin was definitely the man for the job, and alluded to the common belief that Chernomyrdin is being groomed to succeed Yeltsin after the 2000 Presidential elections. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "The chief characteristics of Viktor Chernomyrdin are probity, honesty and experience. I believe that these are the qualities that will be decisive in the presidential elections." SUPER CAPTION: Boris Yeltsin, Russian President For his part, Chernomyrdin is concentrating on the economy. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "Of course there's the rouble, the rouble. What we spent so long trying to achieve, to create a rouble in Russia... Our main task is to protect the rouble." SUPER CAPTION: Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russian Prime Minister Designate But they and others expressed concern that Chernomyrdin, who was in power for more than five years until his dismissal in March, might have no fresh solutions to offer. Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party, criticised the previous government. Kiriyenko immediately hit back, defending his actions. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "The government which was appointed in March has in the space of five months bankrupted itself and had to be dismissed. Our demands of Friday for the dismissal of the government have been justified." SUPER CAPTION: Gennady Zyuganov, Communist Party leader SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "We were working in difficulty circumstances. Perhaps if we could turn the clock back we might have avoided a few mistakes; there were some. But I'm not ashamed of my work" SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Kiriyenko, Sacked Prime Minister Chernomyrdin said on Monday that his first priority would be to analyse the country's battered financial markets, in turmoil after the recent devaluation of the rouble. At the Moscow Currency Exchange, traders reacted cautiously to the changes in the government. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "I don't think it makes any difference. We don't care who heads the government, what does matter is that the government fulfils its obligations. All the rest isn't important." SUPER CAPTION: Dmitry Telitse, currency trader Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...