MURALIEV TO HEAD KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT.

President Askar Akaev yesterday nominated Amangeldy Muraliev to serve as acting prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, a post empty since the April 4 death of Prime Minister Jumabek Ibraimov. Muraliev has until now been the governor of the Osh region (see the Monitor, April 7). He previously served as industry minister and deputy prime minister. Also yesterday, President Akaev elevated Deputy Prime Minister Boris Silaev to the post of first deputy prime minister, enhancing Silaev’s status in the new Muraliev government (Itar-Tass, April 12). Silaev is the highest ethnic Russian office holder in Kyrgyzstan and is considered an experienced troubleshooter–a role he performed as acting prime minister during last year’s government crisis (see the Monitor, December 14, 18, 24, 1998). That crisis resulted in the formation of a government under Ibraimov, who was chosen as prime minister despite suffering from an advanced cancer.

EAST CASPIAN OIL VOLUMES FACE DIVERSION INTO IRAN.