CHERNOMYRDIN DEFENDS HIS POLICIES.

In a wide-ranging interviewwith Russian television August 18, Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdindefended his policies but said he did not want to be seen as thesuccessor to Yeltsin or even as a candidate for president. Heacknowledged that by becoming the leader of an electoral bloc,he had drawn the fire of political critics, but argued that the"Russia is Our Home" bloc provided him with the politicalsupport necessary to carry out his "line."

Chernomyrdin Adopts Hard Line in Foreign Affairs.