(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 re-appointment 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, 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.
Opposition legislators who have been fiercely critical of Kiriyenko's four-month tenure generally hailed his dismissal.
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.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"The government which was appointed in March has in the space of five months has 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
Viktor 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 ruble.
Some politicians, like Vladimir Zhirinovsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, think any alternative would be an improvement from Kiriyenko.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"You could do worse than Chernomyrdin. A new government, taking into account the situation and that they will work on a coalition basis, a coalition of professionals, they can do a lot better than the Kiriyenko government. So the decision has come at the right time."
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Liberal Democratic Party leader
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
Before leaving the White House on Sunday night, Kiriyenko paid a visit to Russia's striking miners, who have been picketing the government building for several months.
The news of Chernomyrdin's reappointment was met with consternation by the miners, who blame the former prime minister for the country's current economic woes.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
SUPER CAPTION: Viktor Semyonov, miner's picket leader
Earlier on Monday, Kiriyenko turned down an offer to remain in the government by taking the post of Deputy Prime Minister.
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